[Incidence of malaria among United Nations troops deployed in the Ituri district of Democratic Republic of Congo (ex-Zaire) during a 12-month period spanning 2005 and 2006]

The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of malaria in United Nations (UN) troops deployed in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (ex-Zaire). A one-year study was conducted from June 2005 to May 2006. The study was retrospective for the first six months and prospective for the second. During the study period, a total of 99 cases of malaria requiring hospitalization at the UN Level II Hospital in the town of Bunia, Democratic Republic of Congo were recorded among UN troops. Malaria accounted for approximately 36% of all hospitalizations for medical diseases. The offending species in 98% of cases was Plasmodium falciparum. Transmission was highest from April to September. There were no deaths. Parasitemia was less than or equal to 2% in 91% of cases.