[Imported Malaria in the Region of Marrakech-Safi, Morocco, between 1996 and 2016].

Since the elimination of the autochthonous malaria in Morocco in 2005, the control of imported malaria, based on epidemiological monitoring of the parasite carriers and on vector control, is a priority. This retrospective study is focused on imported malaria cases identified by optical microscopy at the Laboratory of Public Health in Marrakesh, Morocco, from 1996 to 2016. 208 cases were observed. Males accounted for 89% of cases. The cases were imported from 24 African countries, especially from Equatorial Guinea (28%), Guinea Conakry (11%), Ivory Coast (9%), Burkina Faso (8%) and Mali (7%). The highest incidence was recorded in 2012 and 2014 with 32 cases each. Plasmodium falciparum was the most frequent parasite (85%) followed by Plasmodium ovale (12%), while lower rates were detected for Plasmodium malariae (3 cases) and Plasmodium vivax (2 cases). Increasing malaria cases have been recorded since 1996. This may be related to Morocco's openness to the sub-Saharan Africa with an increase in international travels and migration flow from malaria endemic countries. To keep the status of autochthonous malaria free country, since 2011 the Ministry of Health has developed and implemented a strategy adapted to Moroccan context, to maintain malaria elimination and prevent its reintroduction.
Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare