Aim: To determine the number of people with malaria in Auckland in 1993 and determine species, sources, exposure history, use of chemoprophylaxis, outcome and geographic attack rates.
Methods: We prospectively obtained the numbers of people with laboratory diagnosed malaria from all haematology departments in Auckland and then contacted the patients and their doctors to elicit further details.
Results: Forty three people, 30 men and 13 women, had malaria. Twenty eight were New Zealanders, 10 migrants, three temporary visitors and two not determined. Thirty two had P vivax infection, 11 P falciparum: none had complications. The highest attack rate was in travellers to the Solomon Islands. Eighty two per cent took prophylaxis.
Conclusions: Malaria is an uncommon diagnosis in Auckland. Most patients took prophylaxis. The disease is undernotified. No one died of malaria in 1993 in Auckland.