MALARIA IN THE SAHELIAN AREA OF SENEGAL .1. PARASITOLOGICAL INDEXES

The malaria parasitological indexes have been studied in three village s situated in the Senegal river central valley. Near one of them an ir rigated rice field has been operational since July 1989. Each village has its own health care unit and the consumption of antimalarial drugs , especially chloroquine, is imporant. The parasitological indexes in children 0 to 9 years old and in patients presenting with symptons evo cative of malarial attacks are low. Irrigation of the rice field area does not seem to be an increasing factor for the malaria parasite rate s in the area.