[Widespread use of primaquine for control of Plasmodium vivax epidemics in a population with varying degrees of G6PD deficiency].

The major benefit of mass primaquine administration in the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea was a considerable reduction in malaria case load in the situation where there is acute inadequacy of various means for malaria control, as well as in the containment of a large-scale malaria epidemic caused exclusively by P. vivax in a relatively short period of time. Success of mass treatment can be achieved only through high coverage (about 90% of the target population), the elaboration of clear instructions for all categories of the personnel engaged in the treatment, with the provision of regular efficient supervision, the accessibility of first medical aid at the site in case of probable severe side effects. Adherence to these prerequisites results in the safety of the treated population with very high degree of G6PD deficiency.