A cross-sectional study to ascertain malaria prevalence among asymptomatic travellers arriving on the Lihir Group of Islands, Papua New Guinea: implications for elimination efforts.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The Lihir Islands of Papua New Guinea host a mining operation that has resulted in a mine-impacted zone (MIZ) with reduced malaria transmission and a substantial influx of mine employees, informal cross-country traders, returning locals, and visitors. Prevalence of malaria parasites was assessed in travellers arriving on the Lihir Group of Islands to evaluate the risk of parasite importation.

Methods

In 2018, a cross-sectional study at the airport and main wharf was conducted, targeting asymptomatic travellers who had been away from Lihir for at least 12 days. Microscopy, rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), and quantitative PCR (qPCR) were used to determine Plasmodium parasite prevalence, employing logistic regression models to identify factors associated with qPCR pos

SUBMITTER: Millat-Martinez P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10688477 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature