Epidemiological Alert: Preparedness and response to imported malaria in non-endemic countries - 31 August 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of countries being operationally prepared to respond to the threats of emerging diseases, mainly regarding the capacity for timely detection, diagnosis, and adequate case management. In the Region of the Americas, 19 non-endemic countries and territories are considered free of malaria transmission, with some sporadically reporting imported cases of malaria from endemic countries in the Region and beyond. However, recently autochthonous cases of malaria have been detected in areas where historically no cases had been recorded.

The Pan American Health Organization / World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) encourages Member States to maintain surveillance, early diagnosis, and timely treatment of malaria cases throughout the Americas, with special attention to the countries and territories free of malaria but who are receptive (risk of vector transmission) and vulnerable (risk of imported cases).