Epidemic malaria transmission--Armenia, 1997.

The dissolution of the Former Soviet Union (FSU) has resulted in the disruption of the health infrastructure in many of the republics, as indicated in part by increases in infectious diseases that were previously controlled (e.g., diphtheria, typhoid, and hepatitis A). In 1994, the Ministry of Health (MOH) of Armenia (1995 population: 3.5 million) detected the first locally acquired case of malaria since the 1940s; the number of imported cases (15) was approximately twice the annual average during 1986-1989 (seven). In 1995, although no locally acquired cases were reported, the number of imported cases increased to 502. In 1996 and 1997, the total (locally acquired and imported) number of reported cases of malaria was 347 and 841, respectively. This report summarizes surveillance for malaria in Armenia during 1996-1997.