Control of malaria transmission in a gold-mining area in Amapá, State, Brazil, with participation by private enterprise

Abstract

This paper reports on the epidemiological characterization of malaria following implementation of a program to control the endemic in a gold-mining area in northern Amapá State. The study focuses on total malaria cases in Amapá and the impact of the disease on the population , as represented by the Mineração Novo Astro S/A company and its employees as well as the community of Vila de Lourenço in the municipality of Calçoene , and adjacent gold miners . The effect of control measures in the pro g ram area is indicated by a significant reduction in malaria incidence and malaria-related morbidity and mortality. The importance of participation by private enterprise is emphasized , particularly in large projects for the control of endemic diseases (notably malaria) in the Amazon Region .