Malaria epidemics in Colombia, 1970-2019

• Published in: Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical
• Main Authors: Julio Cesar Padilla Rodríguez, Mario Javier Olivera, María Cristina Padilla Herrera, Edwin Pachón Abril
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical (SBMT) 2022
• Subjects: Malaria; Epidemiology; Epidemics; Colombia; Public health surveillance; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1590/0037-8682-0559-2021; https://doaj.org/article/fd07dcc36d254ea68f48b85c7ccd78bc

ABSTRACT Background: Malaria has unstable transmission in Colombia and has variable endemic-epidemic patterns. This study describes the epidemiological characteristics of malaria epidemics registered in Colombia from 1970-2019. Methods: Data from 1979-2019 were collected from the National Public Health Surveillance System. The data was tabulated and pertinent descriptive analyses were carried out. Results: Fifteen malaria outbreaks and approximately five-year-long epidemic cycles were observed in Colombia during the study period. Conclusions: Malaria epidemics in Colombia present a five-yearly transmission pattern, mainly due to the increased vulnerability produced by seasonal population migrations in receptive areas with active transmission.