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Raeisi A¹ * , (PhD) Nikpoor F² , (MSPH) Ranjbar Kahkha M³, (MD) Faraji L⁴, (BS).

1- Epidemiologist, Manager of Malaria Control Program, Ministry of health & Medical Education, Tehran, Iran

2- Medical Doctor, Expert of Malaria Control Program, Ministry of health & Medical Education, Tehran, Iran

3- Expert of Malaria Control Program, Ministry of health & Medical Education, Tehran, Iran

4- Public Health, Expert of Malaria Control Program, Ministry of health & Medical Education, Tehran, Iran

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  Abstract

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Introduction: Malaria is one the most important health problems in tropical and semi- tropical countries. Each year 300-500 million people are infected and 2-3 million -mostly children and pregnant women- die from it. Currently malaria is the most important parasitic disease in Iran with limited local transmission in southeast, Iran.

Methods: This descriptive survey investigates the epidemiologic situation of malaria in six years based on information extracted from the monthly malaria reports to CDC and Malaria Control Department by medical universities of the country.

Results: The disease was mainly found in three southeastern provinces. In 2002, 68% of positive cases belonged to these provinces whereas in 2007 it increased to 95%. In 2002, 41% of the infected people were in Sistan and Baluchistan province which increased to 60% in 2007. A 6.5% reduction in malaria positive cases from 2002 to 2007 has been recorded and even with the unsuitable geographical conditions of the southeastern provinces neighboring Afghanistan and Pakistan, the percentage of P.falicparm has had a considerable downward trend from 15% in 2002 to 8.5% in 2007. This great reduction is mainly due to the influence of health system activities in controlling this disease and the improvements in diagnosis and treatment.

Conclusion: It seems that with the help of political support and the effective work of employees of the various sections of health Department, malaria will be eliminated in Iran. Of course we can not ignore the negative effect of malaria infection in Pakistan until the malaria control program improves there.

Keywords: Malaria, Trend, Iran .

Hakim Research Journal 2009 12 (1): 35- 41.

  * Corresponding Author: National program manager for malaria control, Main building of MOH&ME, Hafez Ave. Jomhouri Cross, Tehran I.R. Iran, Tel:0098 21 66717317�Fax: 0098021 66700143 Email: raeisia@tums.ac.ir