[The characteristics of the clinical course of malaria in Ethiopia].

The high incidence of malaria in Ethiopia is due to a number of natural and social factors. The 1988-1989 surveys of 525 patients among this country's indigenous population showed that its great proportion suffered from severe falciparum malaria, including that caused by the chloroquine-resistant strains Plasmodium falciparum. The severity of falciparum malaria seems to be determined by the low immunity of inhabitants in the hyperendemic areas and by late effective therapy. The lack of antimalarial drugs alternative to chloroquine will facilitate fatal malignant malaria.