Parasitic Infections among Natives of the North Markham Area, New Guinea

Abstract

Results of a survey involving over 1000 individuals in 7 villages and a labor camp conducted in mid-1944. Native villagers showed a malaria parasite index of 40.6% (gametocyte index = 6%), all 3 spp. of Plasmodium being represented about equally. Nocturnal and diurnal incidences of Wuchereria bancrofti microfilariae in native laborers were 30% and 2.2%, respectively. Hookworm was the predominant helminth infection (in 80% of total population examined), with whipworm, roundworm and Strongyloides infections encountered in 10, .4 and 3%, respectively. An addendum by K. V. KROMBEIN lists the principal mosquito vectors of malaria and filariasis in the area surveyed.