Is screening for malaria necessary among asymptomatic refugees and immigrants coming from endemic countries?

Malaria is endemic throughout most of the tropics mainly due to Plasmodium falciparum. Outside the tropics, cases have been described among mobile population groups, such as travellers, immigrants and refugees. Malaria prevalence among refugees ranges from 3% to more than 60%, many of them being asymptomatic. This article assesses the findings of a recent study performed in Canada where malaria prevalence among recently arrived asymptomatic refugees was measured. A total of 324 refugees were screened for malaria, obtaining a global prevalence of 3.1% by PCR. Identifying imported, asymptomatic cases of malaria may have an important impact both for the individual concerned and for public health.