Nearly 1500
malaria cases occur each year in the United States; approximately 60% are among U.S. travelers. Despite the availability of sophisticated medical care,
malaria-related deaths continue to occur. The authors reviewed all 185 fatal cases between 1963 and 2001 that were reported to the National
Malaria Surveillance System: 123 (66.5%) occurred among U.S. travelers, and of these, 114 (92.7%) were attributed to Plasmodium falciparum. Failure to take or adhere to recommended
chemoprophylaxis, to promptly seek medical care for post-travel illness, and to promptly diagnose and treat suspected
malaria all contributed to fatal outcomes. Health care providers need to take a travel history, obtain a blood film for suspected
malaria, and use the 24-hour
malaria management advice available through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Malaria Hotline (770-488-7788) or the CDC
Malaria Web site (http://www.cdc.gov/
Malaria). Hospitals must maintain intravenous
quinidine gluconate on formulary because it is the only
drug available to treat severe
malaria in the United States.