ARMENIA TO BECOME MALARIA-FREE BY 2010
Armenpress
YEREVAN, JULY 26, ARMENPRESS: For centuries, malaria was wide spread
in many regions of Armenia, especially in Ararat valley. Intensive
malaria control measures in Soviet Armenia led to complete eradication
of the disease by 1963.
Malaria-free status was maintained till 1990s.
After 1991, following the collapse of the Soviet Union, the
situation became critical in terms of maintaining a malaria-free
status. The epidemic of malaria in 1994 was attributed in part to poor
socio-economic conditions in the country, resulting in disruption
of public health infrastructure and re-emergence of some infectious
diseases, including malaria.
In 1994, 196 malaria cases among military personnel were reported in
the country. In 1995, the number of imported cases increased to 502. In
the next year, 149 cases out of 347 were reported as autochthonous.
According to Lilit Avetisian from the health ministry, during
1997-1998, the number of reported cases (imported and autochthonous)
continued to rise, and a total of 1,156 cases were reported in 1998.
Malaria situation started to improve in 1999, when 616 Plasmodium vivax
cases were reported, of which 376 were from Masis district. In 2000,
the number of malaria cases (imported and autochthonous) continued to
decline and came to 140. There was a further decrease in the number
of reported malaria cases in 2001- 2005.
Lilit Avetisian said there is a plan of actions calling for effective
prevention and control measures to eliminate malaria completely
by 2010.