Science Journal of Public Health

| Peer-Reviewed |

Epidemiological Analysis of Malaria Outbreak in Ankesha District, Awi Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia, 2012: Weaknesses in Control Measures and Risk Factors

Received: 28 December 2015    Accepted: 12 January 2016    Published: 24 March 2016
Views:       Downloads:

Share This Article

Abstract

While malaria is mostly an endemic disease in Ethiopia. It may also occur as outbreaks in areas with low seasonal transmission because of an increase in vector breeding sites, migration of infected people into a vector-rich area populated with susceptible individuals, breakdown of vector control measures and resistance of the vectors to insecticides. The aim of this study was to verify, investigate the outbreak epidemiologically and guide intervention measures. We reviewed data from health post records from 2007 to 2011 and screened randomly 50 fevers cases from the community members by Rapid Diagnostic Test/RDT/ to determine the baseline incidence of malaria in Ankesha District. We defined a confirmed malaria cases as any person with fever or fever with headache with plasmodium parasites by confirmed microscopy and RDT. We conduct descriptive epidemiological study and Entomological survey. A total of 2,061 confirmed malaria cases and one death (CFR=0.05%) were identified. Among the species distributions, plasmodium falciparum was accounted 1484 (72%). The alert threshold (Quartile for 5th year’s data/doubling the last year data) had been reached and crossed in 24th March, 2012 in all health facilities. It showed highest peak between the epidemiological weeks of 17-27 in 2012. The median age was 17 years with a range 0.2 to 83 years. The highest age specific attack rate was in 5-14yr, 17.9 per1000 (642) population. Among sex distribution male comprise 53.3%. The attack rate was high in Azena Kebele which was 165per 1000(883) population in under-fives and 132 per 1000(745) population in>5 years old. Environmental assessment revealed the presence of multiple breeding sits, which was favorable for larvae of Anopheles mosquito. Arbitrarily 53 visited households were observed the LLIN bed net utilization, only 17 (32.1%) households were hanging in their ceiling directly to the bedding. And also IRS was not sprayed for last one years in all affected kebeles. The outbreak was caused by the breakage of Ayehu river formed high larva density, improper usage of LLIN’s bed net and impediment / low coverage of IRS operation. Factors such as delayed detection and notification and inadequate surveillance were also instrumental for the outbreak. We recommended creates awareness giving health education, strengthen the surveillance system and implement a community based program on the LLINs utilization, IRS and environmental management.

DOI 10.11648/j.sjph.20160402.18
Published in Science Journal of Public Health (Volume 4, Issue 2, March 2016)
Page(s) 132-137
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Outbreak Investigation, Malaria, Ayehu River, Ankesha, Ethiopia

References
[1] WHO World Malaria Report, 2013. Geneva, world Health Organization. http://www.who.int/malaria/publications/world_malaria_report_2013/en/.
[2] World Health organization, 1993. Implementation of the Global malaria control strategy. Report of a WHO Study Group. General: ISBN 9241208392.
[3] President’s Malaria Initiative. Malaria Operational Plan (MOP) Ethiopia. FY 2008.
[4] WHO World Malaria Report, 2014. Geneva, world Health Organization. http://www.who.int/malaria/publications/world_malaria_report_2013/en/.
[5] CDC. Malaria: www.cdc.gov/malaria (accessed date May 9, 2012).
[6] Hamusse SD, Balcha TT, Belachew T. The impact of indoor residual spraying on malaria incidence in East Shoa Zone, Ethiopia. Global health action. 5: 11619.
[7] Graves PM, Ngondi JM, Hwang J, Getachew A, Gebre T, Mosher AW, et al. Factors associated with mosquito net use by individuals in households owning nets in Ethiopia. Malaria journal. 10: 354.
[8] Health Federal Minister of health. National malaria Guidelines. Addis Ababa; 2012 January.
[9] Guthmann JP, Bonnet M, Ahoua L, Dantoine F, Balkan S, van Herp M, et al. Death rates from malaria epidemics, Burundi and Ethiopia. Emerging infectious diseases. 2007 Jan; 13 (1): 140.
[10] Amhara regional health bureau, PHEM annual report, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia 2004EFY (unpublished).
[11] The Intersectoral response to the malaria epidemic in Ethiopia in 2003: an assessment, Yolanda Barbera Lainez, International Rescue Committee.
[12] Rhee M, Sissoko M, Perry S, et al: Malaria Prevention practices in Mopti region Mali. Eamj 2005, 82.
Author Information
  • Ethiopian Minister of Health, Amhara Regional State Health Bureau, Public Health Emergency Management Core Process, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

  • MSH/SCMS Project - Regional Health Systems Strengthening Unit, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

  • Ethiopian Minister of Health, Malaria Case Team, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

  • Awi Zone Heath Department, Public Health Emergency Management Case Team, Injibara, Ethiopia

Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Mastewal Worku Lake, Mulugeta Mebratu, Degu Mehari, Kelemu Dessie. (2016). Epidemiological Analysis of Malaria Outbreak in Ankesha District, Awi Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia, 2012: Weaknesses in Control Measures and Risk Factors. Science Journal of Public Health, 4(2), 132-137. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.20160402.18

    Copy | Download

    ACS Style

    Mastewal Worku Lake; Mulugeta Mebratu; Degu Mehari; Kelemu Dessie. Epidemiological Analysis of Malaria Outbreak in Ankesha District, Awi Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia, 2012: Weaknesses in Control Measures and Risk Factors. Sci. J. Public Health 2016, 4(2), 132-137. doi: 10.11648/j.sjph.20160402.18

    Copy | Download

    AMA Style

    Mastewal Worku Lake, Mulugeta Mebratu, Degu Mehari, Kelemu Dessie. Epidemiological Analysis of Malaria Outbreak in Ankesha District, Awi Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia, 2012: Weaknesses in Control Measures and Risk Factors. Sci J Public Health. 2016;4(2):132-137. doi: 10.11648/j.sjph.20160402.18

    Copy | Download

  • @article{10.11648/j.sjph.20160402.18,
      author = {Mastewal Worku Lake and Mulugeta Mebratu and Degu Mehari and Kelemu Dessie},
      title = {Epidemiological Analysis of Malaria Outbreak in Ankesha District, Awi Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia, 2012: Weaknesses in Control Measures and Risk Factors},
      journal = {Science Journal of Public Health},
      volume = {4},
      number = {2},
      pages = {132-137},
      doi = {10.11648/j.sjph.20160402.18},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.20160402.18},
      eprint = {https://download.sciencepg.com/pdf/10.11648.j.sjph.20160402.18},
      abstract = {While malaria is mostly an endemic disease in Ethiopia. It may also occur as outbreaks in areas with low seasonal transmission because of an increase in vector breeding sites, migration of infected people into a vector-rich area populated with susceptible individuals, breakdown of vector control measures and resistance of the vectors to insecticides. The aim of this study was to verify, investigate the outbreak epidemiologically and guide intervention measures. We reviewed data from health post records from 2007 to 2011 and screened randomly 50 fevers cases from the community members by Rapid Diagnostic Test/RDT/ to determine the baseline incidence of malaria in Ankesha District. We defined a confirmed malaria cases as any person with fever or fever with headache with plasmodium parasites by confirmed microscopy and RDT. We conduct descriptive epidemiological study and Entomological survey. A total of 2,061 confirmed malaria cases and one death (CFR=0.05%) were identified. Among the species distributions, plasmodium falciparum was accounted 1484 (72%). The alert threshold (Quartile for 5th year’s data/doubling the last year data) had been reached and crossed in 24th March, 2012 in all health facilities. It showed highest peak between the epidemiological weeks of 17-27 in 2012. The median age was 17 years with a range 0.2 to 83 years. The highest age specific attack rate was in 5-14yr, 17.9 per1000 (642) population. Among sex distribution male comprise 53.3%. The attack rate was high in Azena Kebele which was 165per 1000(883) population in under-fives and 132 per 1000(745) population in>5 years old. Environmental assessment revealed the presence of multiple breeding sits, which was favorable for larvae of Anopheles mosquito. Arbitrarily 53 visited households were observed the LLIN bed net utilization, only 17 (32.1%) households were hanging in their ceiling directly to the bedding. And also IRS was not sprayed for last one years in all affected kebeles. The outbreak was caused by the breakage of Ayehu river formed high larva density, improper usage of LLIN’s bed net and impediment / low coverage of IRS operation. Factors such as delayed detection and notification and inadequate surveillance were also instrumental for the outbreak. We recommended creates awareness giving health education, strengthen the surveillance system and implement a community based program on the LLINs utilization, IRS and environmental management.},
     year = {2016}
    }
    

    Copy | Download

  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Epidemiological Analysis of Malaria Outbreak in Ankesha District, Awi Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia, 2012: Weaknesses in Control Measures and Risk Factors
    AU  - Mastewal Worku Lake
    AU  - Mulugeta Mebratu
    AU  - Degu Mehari
    AU  - Kelemu Dessie
    Y1  - 2016/03/24
    PY  - 2016
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.20160402.18
    DO  - 10.11648/j.sjph.20160402.18
    T2  - Science Journal of Public Health
    JF  - Science Journal of Public Health
    JO  - Science Journal of Public Health
    SP  - 132
    EP  - 137
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2328-7950
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.20160402.18
    AB  - While malaria is mostly an endemic disease in Ethiopia. It may also occur as outbreaks in areas with low seasonal transmission because of an increase in vector breeding sites, migration of infected people into a vector-rich area populated with susceptible individuals, breakdown of vector control measures and resistance of the vectors to insecticides. The aim of this study was to verify, investigate the outbreak epidemiologically and guide intervention measures. We reviewed data from health post records from 2007 to 2011 and screened randomly 50 fevers cases from the community members by Rapid Diagnostic Test/RDT/ to determine the baseline incidence of malaria in Ankesha District. We defined a confirmed malaria cases as any person with fever or fever with headache with plasmodium parasites by confirmed microscopy and RDT. We conduct descriptive epidemiological study and Entomological survey. A total of 2,061 confirmed malaria cases and one death (CFR=0.05%) were identified. Among the species distributions, plasmodium falciparum was accounted 1484 (72%). The alert threshold (Quartile for 5th year’s data/doubling the last year data) had been reached and crossed in 24th March, 2012 in all health facilities. It showed highest peak between the epidemiological weeks of 17-27 in 2012. The median age was 17 years with a range 0.2 to 83 years. The highest age specific attack rate was in 5-14yr, 17.9 per1000 (642) population. Among sex distribution male comprise 53.3%. The attack rate was high in Azena Kebele which was 165per 1000(883) population in under-fives and 132 per 1000(745) population in>5 years old. Environmental assessment revealed the presence of multiple breeding sits, which was favorable for larvae of Anopheles mosquito. Arbitrarily 53 visited households were observed the LLIN bed net utilization, only 17 (32.1%) households were hanging in their ceiling directly to the bedding. And also IRS was not sprayed for last one years in all affected kebeles. The outbreak was caused by the breakage of Ayehu river formed high larva density, improper usage of LLIN’s bed net and impediment / low coverage of IRS operation. Factors such as delayed detection and notification and inadequate surveillance were also instrumental for the outbreak. We recommended creates awareness giving health education, strengthen the surveillance system and implement a community based program on the LLINs utilization, IRS and environmental management.
    VL  - 4
    IS  - 2
    ER  - 

    Copy | Download

  • Sections