Malaria
Malaria Playbook
To help infection preventionists quickly activate Malaria prevention efforts, APIC’s Emerging Infectious Diseases Task Force has created a Malaria playbook that IPs can download and customize for use in their facilities. The playbook is a concise workflow document that is designed to be user-friendly and operational for busy IPs. Access the playbook here.
About Malaria
- Parasites of the genus Plasmodium cause malaria, most commonly P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale, P. malariae, and P. knowlesi in humans
- These parasites infect human red blood cells and are transmitted through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito
- Most commonly, malaria is transmitted when an infected Anopheles mosquito bites a person (mosquito-borne)
- Transmission through blood transfusion, organ transplantation, or shared needles can occur, though rarely (bloodborne)
- Pregnant individuals infected with malaria can pass the parasite to their fetus (congenital)
- Incubation Period: Typically 7 to 30 days, depending on parasite species
- P. vivax and P. ovale can remain dormant in the liver and reactivate months or years later
- Malaria was once endemic in the United States, particularly in the South, until it was eliminated in 1951 through mosquito control and public health measures
- About 2,000 cases are reported annually in the United States, nearly all in people who traveled to or immigrated from malaria-endemic regions
- Locally acquired cases do occasionally occur when a U.S. mosquito bites an infected traveler and then transmits it to someone else
- Summer 2023 saw the first multiple locally acquired U.S. cases in 20 years (Florida, Texas, and Maryland)
Current Situation
- 240+ million malaria cases and about 600,000 deaths worldwide each year (WHO, 2024)
- The highest global burden is in sub-Saharan Africa, but cases also occur in Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East
- While sustained transmission is not currently occurring in the United States, increasing global travel, climate shifts, and mosquito expansion may create more opportunities for domestic outbreaks
- Click here to view more about Malaria’s Impact Worldwide
Malaria remains a re-emerging infectious disease with ongoing outbreak potential. Infection preventionists should ensure their facility is prepared with a plan that includes:
- Rapid screening of febrile patients with recent international travel, especially to Africa, Latin America, South Asia, or tropical regions
- Clear specimen collection procedures for thick and thin blood smears or rapid diagnostic testing
- Immediate treatment coordination with infectious disease specialists or public health authorities
- Education for occupational health departments
- Planning for potential local transmission clusters in collaboration with vector control programs
APIC Resources and Tools
Click here to download the APIC Malaria Playbook
- Developed by the APIC Emerging Infectious Diseases Task Force to help infection preventionists rapidly activate Malaria prevention efforts
- The playbook is a concise workflow document that is designed to be user-friendly and operational for busy IPs
- Chapter 118 of the APIC Text provides comprehensive guidance for an infection preventionist on strategies to handle Infectious Disease Disasters
Additional External Resources
