The epidemiology of malaria in an epidemic area of the Peruvian Amazon

A longitudinal study of malariometric indicators and their association with potential risk factors was conducted during August 1997-July 1998 at Padre Cocha, a village of 1,400 residents in the Peruvian Amazon. The incidence of Plasmodium falciparum infections during the study year was 166/1,000 per sons; that of P. vivax was 826/1,000 persons. The mean duration of symptoms prior to diagnosis was 2 days; presenting geometric mean parasite densitie s were 3,976 parasites/mu l for P. falciparum infections and 2,282 parasite s/mu l for P. vivax. There were no malaria-associated deaths. Consistent wi th the epidemic nature of malaria in the area, the incidence of both parasi te species increased with age and there were no age-specific differences in mean parasite densities. No specific occupational risks for malaria were i dentified. Activities significantly associated with malaria risk reflected local vector behavior and included strolling outdoors after 6:00 PM and ari sing before 6:00 AM for adults, and attending evening church services for c hildren.