Surveillance and Response to Imported Malaria During the COVID-19 Epidemic - Anhui Province, China, 2019-2021.

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS TOPIC?: China was certified malaria-free on June 30, 2021. However, imported malaria continuously threatens the effort to prevent re-establishment of malaria in China.

WHAT IS ADDED BY THIS REPORT?: Measures such as international travel restrictions, entry quarantine, and screening in fever clinics during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) period were associated with a significant decrease of imported malaria cases in Anhui Province, a higher proportion of non-Plasmodium falciparum (non-P. falciparum) malaria reported infections, and a higher proportion of cases requiring medical attention at their initial visit.

WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICES?: It is necessary to be vigilant about imported malaria during the COVID-19 epidemic, especially for non-P. falciparum infections which are more difficult to detect, and to promote research, development, and introduction of more sensitive and specific point-of-care detection methods for non-P. falciparum species.