[Malaria in an outbreak zone in Oyapock (French Guiana): incidence of malaria attacks in the American Indian population of Camopi]

The Oyapock region is the second largest malaria outbreak area in French Guiana after Maroni. This area that has been less extensively studied that Maroni is characterized by the presence of an exclusively American Indian population on the French bank and by a high incidence of Plasmodium vivax associated with Plasmodium falciparum. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of malaria attacks in Camopi, a population center in which most inhabitants live in 15 small villages located along the middle part of the Oyapock River on the Brazilian border. Study involved diagnosis of malaria attacks (ongoing fever or reported fever within 48 hours and presence of asexual Plasmodium parasites with no other apparent etiology) and accurate estimation of its incidence as well as evaluation of the American Indian population. Study was carried out over the two-year period between April 2000 and March 2002. The mean annual incidence of malaria was 486 per 1000. Incidence was comparable for the two Plasmodium species: 248 p. 1000 for P. falciparum versus 259 p. 1000 for P. vivax but was much higher in children than adults (402 p. 1000 versus 92 p. 1000). The incidence of P. falciparum varied during the year and from one year to the next. Mixed infection documented by microscopic evidence was uncommon. With an annual incidence of around 500 p 1.000, the Oyapock area of French Guiana must be considered as a malaria hot spot.