A review of the malaria situation in Zimbabwe with special reference to the period 1972-1981.

Information on the prevalence, incidence, and geographical distribution of malaria in Zimbabwe is reviewed. Malaria control operations carried out during the last 30 years are briefly described together with available information of their impact on malaria. From 1972 to 1981, 51,962 positive blood slides were submitted to Blair Research Laboratory from health institutions, of which 97.8% were Plasmodium falciparum, 1.8% P. malariae and 0.3% P. ovale. Blood slide surveys undertaken from 1969 to 1981 during which time 156,194 slides were examined showed P. falciparum to constitute 92.5% of malaria infections, P. malariae 8.3% and P. ovale 0.7%. The data from active and passive case finding are used to describe the seasonal and geographical pattern of malaria in Zimbabwe. The seasonal peak of transmission occurs from February to May each year with very low transmission from July to October. Endemicity of malaria is shown to be markedly influenced by altitude varying from hyperendemic in the low altitude areas to hypoendemic or absent on the central watershed.