[Long latency is characteristic for "imported" cases of malaria in children at a municipal hospital in Vienna].

BACKGROUND

Malaria is the most frequent tropical disease and the most important parasitic infectious disease in the world. Due to high mobility by travelling and migration also in Central Europe malaria has to be considered also in children and youths.

METHODS

We report four cases of malaria being diagnosed and treated at the department of paediatrics, Vienna Danube Hospital, a municipal centre.

RESULTS

In all cases the latency time or incubation period respectively was long with up to one year which made the diagnosis of malaria unlikely at first glance.

CONCLUSIONS

Taking into account the long latency or incubation period and often fragmentary report of medical history malaria has to be considered in all children after a stay in a country at risk for malaria even if this stay dates back a long time in order to diagnose and treat this disease quickly.