POSTEXPOSURE ADMINISTRATION OF HALOFANTRINE FOR THE PREVENTION OF MALARIA

Halofantrine was administered as prophylaxis for malaria to mine worke rs returning from endemic areas of Papua New Guinea. The men were rand omly assigned to receive 500 mg of halofantrine daily for 3 days (n = 195) or 6 days (n = 150) or a total dose of 1,500 mg of chloroquine ov er 3 days (n = 55). None of the men receiving halofantrine developed f alciparum malaria during the subsequent 28 days, whereas three men rec eiving chloroquine did develop this disease (P < .02). The administrat ion of halofantrine after departure from an endemic area is one strate gy for the prevention of falciparum malaria after short-term exposure.