Imported malaria in Italy from 1986 to 1988.

The trend of imported malaria cases in Italy from 1960 to 1988 is discussed. Comparative analysis of malaria incidence in the last three years is also presented. Since 1985, a rapid increase was recorded with 191 cases in 1986, 287 in 1987 and 350 in 1988. In 1986-1988 Plasmodium falciparum was responsible for 74% cases of the total number, followed by P. vivax (21%), P. malariae (2.2%) and P. ovale (1%). 86% of the imported cases was acquired in African countries, 8% in Asia and 3% in South America. As far as travellers categories are concerned, workers represented 46% of the total population, tourists 37%, seamen and aircrew 2% and strangers coming from endemic malaria areas and travelling to Italy 16%. In 1986, 1987 and 1988 three, four and two deaths respectively, due to malaria, were reported.