Overseas refugee health guidelines : Malaria

In addition to the standard, legally required medical examination of refugees migrating to the United States and previous CDC recommendations, CDC recommends the following presumptive treatment for P. falciparum malaria. These recommendations apply to all refugees who are currently living in countries that are endemic for P. falciparum in sub-Saharan Africa. Currently, refugees living in lower endemic areas outside sub-Saharan Africa (i.e. Southeast Asia) should not receive empirical therapy for asymptomatic malaria (see domestic malaria guidelines for details). This document provides background information, rationale for the recommendations, and technical information for physicians.These guidelines are intended for presumptive pre-departure treatment of asymptomatic malaria and directed treatment for special populations with asymptomatic malaria. Any patient with clinical symptoms of malaria should be referred to the camp health care facility for evaluation and treatment.201