This document outlines some selected and unique aspects of malaria surveillance and control in the Northern Territory (NT). It describes the intensive measures that are essential if we are to prevent the re-establishment of malaria in the NT.
The malaria section in the Therapeutic Guidelines Antibiotic. Version 12, 2003 (Appendix 1) was written from the NT and included 2 new antimalarial treatments for P. falciparum malaria - malarone (atovaquone/proguanil) and coartemether (artemether/lumefantrine (tradename Riamet)). After a year's experience with these
treatments the order of choice of therapy in these new NT guidelines (2004) reflects a move towards using these newer therapies as first line treatment in specific circumstances.
The malaria control program in the NT is a responsibility shared among general practitioners, hospitals, laboratories, medical entomology, community care/health centres, diseases control units, and the general community.