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Schlagenhauf P, Patel D. Who, Where, and Why: Moves to Checkmate Imported Malaria? Clin Infect Dis 2020; 69:1163-1164. [PMID: 30535241 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciy1044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 12/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Schlagenhauf
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Travel Medicine, Travel Clinic and Department of Public Health, Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Dipti Patel
- National Travel Health Network and Centre, London, United Kingdom
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Imported Malaria in Countries where Malaria Is Not Endemic: a Comparison of Semi-immune and Nonimmune Travelers. Clin Microbiol Rev 2020; 33:33/2/e00104-19. [PMID: 32161068 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00104-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The continuous increase in long-distance travel and recent large migratory movements have changed the epidemiological characteristics of imported malaria in countries where malaria is not endemic (here termed non-malaria-endemic countries). While malaria was primarily imported to nonendemic countries by returning travelers, the proportion of immigrants from malaria-endemic regions and travelers visiting friends and relatives (VFRs) in malaria-endemic countries has continued to increase. VFRs and immigrants from malaria-endemic countries now make up the majority of malaria patients in many nonendemic countries. Importantly, this group is characterized by various degrees of semi-immunity to malaria, resulting from repeated exposure to infection and a gradual decline of protection as a result of prolonged residence in non-malaria-endemic regions. Most studies indicate an effect of naturally acquired immunity in VFRs, leading to differences in the parasitological features, clinical manifestation, and odds for severe malaria and clinical complications between immune VFRs and nonimmune returning travelers. There are no valid data indicating evidence for differing algorithms for chemoprophylaxis or antimalarial treatment in semi-immune versus nonimmune malaria patients. So far, no robust biomarkers exist that properly reflect anti-parasite or clinical immunity. Until they are found, researchers should rigorously stratify their study results using surrogate markers, such as duration of time spent outside a malaria-endemic country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doug Fink
- The Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Mortimer Market Centre, London, UK
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, UK
| | - Robert Serafino Wani
- Department of Infection, Barts Health NHS Trust, Royal London Hospital, London, UK
| | - Victoria Johnston
- The Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Mortimer Market Centre, London, UK
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Neave PE, Nair B, Heywood AE. Student travel health and the role of universities and health clinics in New Zealand to prevent imported infections: a cross-sectional study. J Travel Med 2017; 24:3090350. [PMID: 28395034 DOI: 10.1093/jtm/tax009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tertiary students are at risk of acquiring infectious diseases during overseas travel as they visit low-income countries, have low perceptions of risk and are unlikely to access travel health advice. Some will visit friends and relatives abroad, a group identified as disproportionately affected by imported infections. There is no national student travel health policy in NZ. This study aimed to explore travel health training of university-based health providers; academics' practices and perceptions of travel health; reasons for travel and countries visited by NZ university students, their travel health uptake and factors affecting decision making about this. METHODS A cross-sectional study consisting of surveys sent in 2014 to university clinics, senior academics and students. RESULTS Surveys were completed by 251 respondents. Three of nine clinicians had only undertaken a short course in travel health. Competing resources and time constraints in health clinics were amongst the barriers to providing optimal services. Of the senior academics, only 14% were able to confirm their university collaborated with health clinics. Sixty seven percent of students were unaware that clinics provided travel health services and 19% had or intended to seek professional travel health advice. CONCLUSIONS A national policy is warranted involving all stakeholders, utilizing innovative technologies to increase uptake of student travel health services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Penny E Neave
- Department of Public Health, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Balakrishnan Nair
- Department of Public Health, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Anita E Heywood
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales, NSW, Sydney, Australia
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Castelli F, Sulis G. Migration and infectious diseases. Clin Microbiol Infect 2017; 23:283-289. [PMID: 28336382 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2017.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2016] [Revised: 02/17/2017] [Accepted: 03/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infectious diseases still represent an important cause of morbidity and mortality among foreign-born individuals. The rising migration flows towards Europe throughout the last few years are raising renewed concerns about management issues and the potential associated risk for the native population. AIMS To discuss the health implications and challenges related to the four phases of migration, from first arrival to stable resettlement. SOURCES Scientific literature and relevant statistical reports. CONTENT Although infectious diseases are not a health priority at first arrival, a syndromic screening to identify the most common communicable conditions (pulmonary tuberculosis above all) should be promptly conducted. Reception centres where asylum seekers are gathered after arrival may be crowded, so favouring epidemic outbreaks, sometimes caused by incomplete vaccine coverage for preventable diseases. After resettlement, the prevalence of some chronic infections such as human immunodeficiency virus, viral hepatitis or tuberculosis largely reflects the epidemiological pattern in the country of origin, with poor living conditions being an additional driver. Once resettled, migrants usually travel back to their country of origin without seeking pre-travel advice, which results in a high incidence of malaria and other infections. IMPLICATIONS Although infectious diseases among migrants are known to have a negligible impact on European epidemiology, screening programmes need to be implemented and adapted to the different stages of the migratory process to better understand the trends and set priorities for action. Appropriate access to care regardless of the legal status is crucial to improve the health status and prevent the spread of contagious conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Castelli
- University Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University of Brescia and Spedali Civili General Hospital, Brescia, Italy; UNESCO Chair 'Training and empowering human resources for health development in resource-limited countries', University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
| | - G Sulis
- University Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University of Brescia and Spedali Civili General Hospital, Brescia, Italy
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Neave PE, Heywood AE, Gibney KB, Leder K. Imported infections: What information should be collected by surveillance systems to inform public health policy? Travel Med Infect Dis 2016; 14:350-9. [PMID: 27235839 PMCID: PMC7110684 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2016.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2015] [Revised: 05/10/2016] [Accepted: 05/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Background International travel carries the risk of imported diseases, which are an increasingly significant public health problem. There is little guidance about which variables should be collected by surveillance systems for strategy-based surveillance. Methods Surveillance forms for dengue, malaria, hepatitis A, typhoid and measles were collected from Australia and New Zealand and information on these compared with national surveillance forms from the UK and Canada by travel health experts. Variables were categorised by information relating to recent travel, demographics and disease severity. Results Travel-related information most commonly requested included country of travel, vaccination status and travel dates. In Australia, ethnicity information requested related to indigenous status, whilst in New Zealand it could be linked to census categories. Severity of disease information most frequently collected were hospitalisation and death. Conclusions Reviewing the usefulness of variables collected resulted in the recommendation that those included should be: overseas travel, reason for travel, entry and departure dates during the incubation period, vaccination details, traveller's and/or parents' country of birth, country of usual residence, time resident in current country, postcode, hospitalisation and death details. There was no agreement about whether ethnicity details should be collected. The inclusion of these variables on surveillance forms could enable imported infection-related policy to be formulated nationally and internationally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Penny E Neave
- School of Public Health and Psychosocial Studies, Auckland University of Technology, 90, Akoranga Drive, Northcote, Auckland, New Zealand.
| | - Anita E Heywood
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia.
| | - Katherine B Gibney
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, The Alfred Centre, Monash University, Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Karin Leder
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, The Alfred Centre, Monash University, Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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Käser AK, Arguin PM, Chiodini PL, Smith V, Delmont J, Jiménez BC, Färnert A, Kimura M, Ramharter M, Grobusch MP, Schlagenhauf P. Imported malaria in pregnant women: A retrospective pooled analysis. Travel Med Infect Dis 2015; 13:300-10. [PMID: 26227740 PMCID: PMC4627431 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2015.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2015] [Revised: 06/26/2015] [Accepted: 06/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Data on imported malaria in pregnant women are scarce. METHOD A retrospective, descriptive study of pooled data on imported malaria in pregnancy was done using data from 1991 to 2014 from 8 different collaborators in Europe, the United States and Japan. National malaria reference centres as well as specialists on this topic were asked to search their archives for cases of imported malaria in pregnancy. A total of 631 cases were collated, providing information on Plasmodium species, region of acquisition, nationality, country of residence, reason for travel, age, gestational age, prophylactic measures and treatment used, as well as on complications and outcomes in mother and child. RESULTS Datasets from some sources were incomplete. The predominant Plasmodium species was P. falciparum (78.5% of cases). Among the 542 cases where information on the use of chemoprophylaxis was known, 464 (85.6%) did not use chemoprophylaxis. The main reason for travelling was "visiting friends and relatives" VFR (57.8%) and overall, most cases of malaria were imported from West Africa (57.4%). Severe anaemia was the most frequent complication in the mother. Data on offspring outcome were limited, but spontaneous abortion was a frequently reported foetal outcome (n = 14). A total of 50 different variants of malaria treatment regimens were reported. CONCLUSIONS Imported cases of malaria in pregnancy are mainly P. falciparum acquired in sub-Saharan Africa. Malaria prevention and treatment in pregnant travellers is a challenge for travel medicine due to few data on medication safety and maternal and foetal outcomes. International, collaborative efforts are needed to capture standardized data on imported malaria cases in pregnant women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annina K Käser
- University of Zürich Travel Clinic, Infectious Diseases, Institute for Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention, University of Zurich, Hirschengraben 84, 8001 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Paul M Arguin
- Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Peter L Chiodini
- Public Health England, Malaria Reference Laboratory, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK; Department of Clinical Parasitology, Hospital for Tropical Diseases, University College London Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Valerie Smith
- Public Health England, Malaria Reference Laboratory, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Jean Delmont
- University Hospital Institute for Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Hospital Nord, AP-HM, Marseille, France
| | - Beatriz C Jiménez
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Fuenlabrada, Madrid, Spain
| | - Anna Färnert
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mikio Kimura
- Department of Internal Medicine, Shin-Yamanote Hospital, Japan Anti-Tuberculosis Association, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Michael Ramharter
- Department of Medicine I, Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Martin P Grobusch
- Centre of Tropical Medicine and Travel Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Division of Internal Medicine, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Patricia Schlagenhauf
- University of Zürich Travel Clinic, Infectious Diseases, Institute for Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention, University of Zurich, Hirschengraben 84, 8001 Zurich, Switzerland.
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Behrens RH, Neave PE, Jones COH. Imported malaria among people who travel to visit friends and relatives: is current UK policy effective or does it need a strategic change? Malar J 2015; 14:149. [PMID: 25890328 PMCID: PMC4397732 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-015-0666-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2015] [Accepted: 03/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The proportion of all imported malaria reported in travellers visiting friends and relatives (VFRs) in the UK has increased over the past decade and the proportion of Plasmodium falciparum malaria affecting this group has remained above 80% during that period. The epidemiological data suggest that the strategies employed in the UK to prevent imported malaria have been ineffective for VFRs. This paper attempts to identify possible reasons for the failure of the malaria prevention strategy among VFRs and suggest potential alternatives. Methods A review of the current UK malaria prevention guidelines was undertaken and their approach was compared to the few data that are available on malaria perceptions and practices among VFRs. Results The current UK malaria prevention guidelines focus on educating travellers and health professionals using messages based on the personal threat of malaria and promoting the benefits of avoiding disease through the use of chemoprophylaxis. While malaria morbidity disproportionately affects VFRs, the mortality rates from malaria in VFRs is eight times, and severe disease eight times lower than in tourist and business travellers. Recent research into VFR malaria perceptions and practices has highlighted the complex socio-ecological context within which VFRs make their decisions about malaria. These data suggest that alternative strategies that move beyond a knowledge-deficit approach are required to address the burden of malaria in VFRs. Discussion Potential alternative strategies include the use of standby emergency-treatment (SBET) for the management of fevers with an anti-malarial provided pre-travel, the provision of rapid diagnostic testing and treatment regimen based in general-practitioner surgeries, and urgent and walk-in care centres and local accident and emergency (A&E) departments to provide immediate diagnosis and accessible ambulatory treatment for malaria patients. This latter approach would potentially address some of the practical barriers to reducing the burden of malaria in VFRs by moving the process nearer to the community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ron H Behrens
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
| | - Penny E Neave
- Department of Public Health, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand.
| | - Caroline O H Jones
- Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK. .,Kemri-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya. .,Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, Centre for Tropical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
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Neave PE, Behrens RH, Jones COH. "You're losing your Ghanaianess": understanding malaria decision-making among Africans visiting friends and relatives in the UK. Malar J 2014; 13:287. [PMID: 25064713 PMCID: PMC4118190 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-13-287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2014] [Accepted: 07/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In the UK, the majority of imported malaria infections occur in the London area among UK residents of African origin who travel to Africa visiting friends and relatives (VFRs). Effective malaria prevention measures are available but there is little understanding of the factors that enhance and constrain their use among VFRs. Methods Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with Africans resident in London who visited friends and relatives in Nigeria and Ghana (n = 20) and with African VFRs recently treated for malaria (n = 6). Data collection took place between December 2007 and February 2011. Information on migration patterns and travel of respondents was collected and the data were analysed using a framework analysis approach. Results Knowledge of the link between mosquitoes and malaria was high. Factors influencing the use of mosquito avoidance methods included knowledge about the local environment, perceptions of the inevitability of contracting malaria, and a desire to fit with the norms of host families. Previous experience of bed nets, and the belief that more modern ways of preventing mosquito bites were available deterred people from using them. Chemoprophylaxis use was varied and influenced by: perceptions about continuing immunity to malaria; previous experiences of malaria illness; the cost of chemoprophylaxis; beliefs about the likely severity of malaria infections; the influence of friends in the UK; and, the way malaria is perceived and managed in Nigeria and Ghana. Malaria treatment was considered by many to be superior in Nigeria and Ghana than in the UK. A conceptual framework was developed to illustrate the manner in which these factors interact to affect malaria decisions. Conclusions The use of malaria prevention among VFRs needs to be understood not only in terms of individual risk factors but also in relation to the context in which decisions are made. For VFRs, malaria decisions are undertaken across two distinct social and environmental contexts and within the structural constraints associated with each. Strategies for reducing the burden of malaria among VFRs that ignore this complexity are likely to face challenges. New approaches that take account of contextual as well as individual factors are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Penny E Neave
- Department of Public Health, AUT University, Auckland, New Zealand.
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