AN OVERVIEW OF THE MALARIA SITUATION IN ZANZIBAR

Zanzibar is composed of two neighbouring islands with about a 1.1 mill ion inhabitants in 2600 square kilometers, Both islands are located of f the northeastern coast of the Tanzanian mainland, Zanzibar is a typi cal malaria endemic area. About a third of all blood samples currently examined for malaria in Zanzibar are positive to Plasmodium falciparu m. Previous attempts failed to significantly improve the malaria situa tion in Zanzibar due to administrative problems, antimalarial drug and DDT resistance. We visited Zanzibar in order to evaluate the magnitud e of the malaria problem and the medical logistics. This paper reviews the results of the visit, past and present attempts to eliminate mala ria and our conclusions regarding Zanzibar as a model site for attempt s to eradicate malaria.