Investigation of malaria outbreak in Basti Mungwani, District Muzaffar Garh, October 2010

Background: On 24 October 2010, EDO (Health) office received a call from local member council about two deaths due to high grade fever at Basti Mungwani. Four similar cases were also reported from the same area. A six-member team was sent to investigate the outbreak and recommend control measures. Basti Mangwani was flood-affected and consisted of about 42 houses with a population of 206. Methods: A descriptive study was conducted from 24 to 30 October 2010. Based on the preliminary finding a case was defined as a resident of Basti Mangwani, regardless of age and sex, having fever with chills within October 18th to October 30th 2010. The patients fulfilling the case definition were enrolled by the house to house survey. Blood samples were taken for microscopy and rapid tests. Results: There were 39 cases with a mean age of 17.5 years (range: 01-45). Females were 62%. Age group 1-20 years was most affected (n = 25). Besides fever and chills, vomiting was the present in 28% cases. All cases were confirmed on microscopy and 95% (n = 37) were positive on rapid test. Plasmodium falciparum was positive in 59% (n = 22) while rest were positive for Plasmodium vivax. The attack rate of malaria in this village was 18.9%. Spot map shows clustering of cases around a stagnant water pond in the centre of the village. Epi curve shows sudden outburst of cases on the 28th of October 2010. Conclusion: Stagnant water pond was the major mosquito breeding site and the probable cause of the outbreak. Residual sprays, treatment of pond by larvicidals, provision of bed nets and prophylactic treatment with chloroquin were able to control the outbreak. No new cases were reported after October 30th 2010.