Case Report on Plasmodium falciparum Malaria in a Traveler Returning from South Sudan: Surveillance of Travelers Entering Thailand from Malaria-Endemic Countries

Abstract

Malaria is an infectious disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium, particularly Plasmodium falciparum, which is the most severe and fatal species. It is spread by the bite of Anopheles mosquitoes (Anopheles spp.) and has a life cycle in both mosquitoes and humans. Epidemiological reports indicate that P. falciparum patients may have a longer incubation period and can cause asymptomatic infection, which is an important factor in the spread of the disease. This study focused on P. falciparum malaria patients returning from South Sudan, a malaria-endemic area. The study included four patients with a history of travel to South Sudan and contracted malaria after returning to Thailand. The results highlight the importance of surveillance and follow-up of people returning from high-risk areas, as two patients with P. falciparum malaria had an incubation period of more than two weeks and developed asymptomatic infection. This study can be used as supporting information for developing more effective malaria prevention and control measures in Thailand.