Observations on malaria patients seeking treatment in hospitals in a rural and an urban area of Sri Lanka.

Malaria in Sri Lanka is endemic in the dry zone and occurs during epidemics in the wet zone. A survey was carried out on malaria patients presenting at a hospital located in a predominantly rural area in the dry zone (Polonnaruwa) and an urban area in the wet zone (Ragama). Higher incidence of Plasmodium falciparum infections than reported nationally were observed in both locations. Of particular interest is the rapidity with which patients gained access to hospital treatment after the onset of malaria symptoms. The observed mode is 3-6 days. It is postulated that early treatment may impair the development of clinical immunity to malaria in the Sri Lankan population.