Malaria in the natives of New Guinea

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Abstract
1. 1. The hyperendemicity of malaria in New Guinea has been determined by parasite and spleen surveys. In one village transmission was so intense that the maximum incidence of palpable spleens was found in the 0–2 year age group. Older children had sufficient immunity to cause the percentage of palpable spleens to decrease. 2. 2. The importance of classifying the results according to age groups is emphasized by a comparison of two villages. The village with a spleen rate of 68 per cent. in children actually had more malaria than did the village with a rate of 94 per cent. 3. 3. Combined parasite and spleen surveys carried out simultaneously on two similarly situated villages gave almost identical results. Thus a properly done survey can be a very accurate measure of the amount of malaria present and of current transmission. 4. 4. The plasmodimetric index which measures the parasite load of a population is a useful adjunct to the standard survey. 5. 5. Seasonal variation in transmission was demonstrated in one locality. It was apparently connected with the rainfall. 6. 6. Since hyperendemic malaria is maintained without the addition of artificially created breeding places in all coastal villages, it is important to pay attention to natural breeding places as well as to those created by military occupation.

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