This study aimed to evaluate the malaria epidemiological aspects in Santa Catarina State, Brazil, by using National Health Foundation data from 1996 to 2001. From 4,707 thick smears analyzed 5.5% were positive. Plasmodium vivax was found in 69.0%; Plasmodium falciparum in 25.6%, mixed infection with both in 5%, and Plasmodium malariae in only 0.4%. It was observed that 67.4% were heterochthonous cases and 32.6% autochthonous cases. In recent years, the incidence of heterochthonous cases has increased. The majority of these cases come from the Brazilian Amazon region and the remainder from African countries. However, the municipalities of Joinville, Blumenau, São Francisco do Sul and Florianópolis registered higher rates of autochthonous cases in 1996/1997. Control and epidemiological surveillance are necessary to prevent the reintroduction of Plasmodium in this region. It would be useful to investigate each epidemiological setting in order to prevent the reappearance of the disease in areas currently considered under control.
Malaria; Epidemiology; Santa Catarina State; Brazil
