Selim Genç

The Malaria: A Rare Cause of Fever in the Emergency Service

Malaria is a life-threatening disease occurring in more than one hundred countries and is endemic in tropical and subtropical regions. It was reported that each year more than 200 million people have malaria and approximately 650000 people die due to malaria each year [1]. The bite of an infected female anopheles mosquito transmits Plasmodium (P.) species, but this is not the only way of transmission. The other ways of transmission are infected blood products and congenital. P. vivax is one of the most frequently observed types of Malaria in our country. However, the other types of P. except for P. vivax may also be seen. P. falciparum is the most serious type of malaria [2]. In Turkey, Malaria is endemic in the Eastern Mediterranean and Southeastern Anatolia Regions, and is seen sporadically in the other regions [2]. A°n this case report, we presented a case of malaria caused by P. falciparum and we emphasized the importance that malaria should be kept in mind for differential diagnosis of fever in the emergency service.