Early diagnosis and case management:
- All the patients with fever and a recent travel history to a malaria endemic country should be tested for malaria.
- Any patient suspected/ diagnosed of having malaria should be immediately notified via telephone to the Regional Malaria Officer (RMO) and the AMC HQ and the relevant Medical Officer of Health (MOH).
When a suspected malaria patient is notified to the Anti Malaria Campaign,
- Diagnosis is confirmed using the Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) and blood films and where necessary the PCR.
- A patient confirmed of having malaria should be admitted for inward treatment for at least 3 days.-Information pertaining to case management and surveillance is obtained from the patient by the AMC staff within 24 hours of the confirmation of the diagnosis.
- The case-based entomological and parasitological surveillance is commenced by the AMC staff within 48 hours of the confirmation of the diagnosis. Entomological surveillance is carried out in and around the patient's residence to search and control vector mosquitoes. Parasitological surveillance is carried out in and around patient's residence to screen for any malaria patients.
- The Anti Malaria Campaign provides guidance and anti-malarial drugs for the management of the patient. Depending on the Plasmodium species, the patient is treated with anti-malarial drugs followed by Primaquine to prevent a relapse.
- Following discharge, the patient is followed up in the field by the AMC staff with RDT and blood films. The follow-up period depends on the Plasmodium species.
Guidelines for the Management and Treatment of Patients with Malaria