Malaria-attributable morbidity in Assam, north-eastern India

Malaria is endemic in the Indian state of Assam and transmission of the cau sative parasites is perennial and persistent. The available data on malaria -related morbidity and mortality in the state for the years 1991-1999 have been reviewed. Over this period, Plasmodium falciparum was the predominant parasite, causing 58%-68% of the malaria cases; all other cases were attrib uted to P. vivax. All malaria-related deaths were attributed to P. falcipar um infection, and the numbers of such deaths were correlated with the numbe rs of cases of P. falciparum malaria. The deaths occurred mostly in the rai ny season (April-September) and among all age-groups of both sexes. The fac tors responsible for focal outbreaks of malaria across the state are discus sed in relation to the existing health infrastructure.