Significant Decline of Malaria Incidence in Southwest of Iran (2001-2014)

Iran is considered as one of the malaria endemic countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) and is at risk due to
neighboringAfghanistan, Pakistan in the east, and Iraq to thewest. Therefore the aim of the present investigation is the evaluation of
the trend of malaria distribution during the past decade (2001–2014) in Khuzestan province, southwestern Iran. In this retrospective
cross-sectional investigation, blood samples were taken fromallmalaria suspicious cases who were referred to health centers across
Khuzestan province. For each positive subject a questionnaire containing demographic information was filled out. Data analysis
was performed using SPSS 18. Froma total of 541malaria confirmed cases, 498 (92.05%) were male and 43 (7.95%) were female.The
highest number of infections was seen in 2001 with 161 (29.75%) cases and the lowest was in 2014 with 0 (0%). Also, Plasmodium
vivax was identified as dominant species in 478 (88.35%) individuals and P. falciparum comprised 63 (11.65%).The highest infection
rate was observed in non-Iranian populations with number 459 (84.85%) and imported cases 508 (93.90%). Also, the majority of
subjects were over 15 years of age, 458 (84.65%). Due to proximity to endemic countries which has made the malaria campaign
difficult, more effort is needed to control the infection in order to achieve malaria elimination.