Evaluation of: Matisz CE, Naidu P, Shokoples SE et al. Post-arrival screening for malaria in asymptomatic refugees using real-time PCR. Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg. 84, 161-165 (2010). Malaria is endemic throughout most of the tropics mainly due to Plasmodium falciparum. Outside the tropics, cases have been described among mobile population groups, such as travellers, immigrants and refugees. Malaria prevalence among refugees ranges from 3% to more than 60%, many of them being asymptomatic. This article assesses the findings of a recent study performed in Canada where malaria prevalence among recently arrived asymptomatic refugees was measured. A total of 324 refugees were screened for malaria, obtaining a global prevalence of 3.1% by PCR. Identifying imported, asymptomatic cases of malaria may have an important impact both for the individual concerned and for public health. © 2011 Expert Reviews Ltd.

immigrants Refugees Malaria Infectious diseases Public health

Plasmodium ovale Plasmodium ovale malaria symptomatology immigrant refugee Human immunodeficiency virus infection mass screening public health service human Note nonhuman disease surveillance diagnostic value Canada population research polymerase chain reaction prevalence Incidence Plasmodium vivax microscopy malaria falciparum endemic disease Plasmodium vivax malaria Plasmodium falciparum mixed infection