Severe malaria cases linked to African travel reported in Hanoi

The first patient, a 33-year-old woman from northern Lao Cai Province, returned from a month-long trip to Africa three months ago before developing high fever, nausea, and fatigue.

Misdiagnosed with hemophagocytic syndrome and treated for more than a month without improvement, she was transferred to the central hospital with ongoing fever, blood cell depletion, seizures, and impaired consciousness.

Dr. Nguyen Duc Minh, of the hospital’s emergency department, said she was admitted in a coma with a persistent high fever.

Blood tests confirmed a heavy infection of Plasmodium falciparum, the most dangerous strain, at 1.9 million parasites per cubic millimeter, indicating cerebral malaria with a high risk of death.

Intensive treatment with anti-malarial drugs and support for cerebral edema has improved her condition. Her consciousness is gradually returning, though her blood counts remain abnormal.

A second patient, a 45-year-old man from northern Hung Yen Province who had worked in Mali, exhibited fever, chills, and abdominal pain after returning.

Admitted with sepsis, multi-organ failure, and liver dysfunction, he tested positive for P. falciparum with a parasite density of 48,000 per cubic millimeter.

A third case involved a 38-year-old woman from Hai Phong City who had worked in Nigeria.

She was admitted in a deep coma and diagnosed with cerebral malaria, multi-organ failure, and shock—conditions with a high fatality risk.

Dr. Minh highlighted that malaria symptoms—typical fever cycles, chills, and sweating—can be misdiagnosed without a detailed travel history.

He urged anyone with sudden fever after returning from high-risk African countries to seek specialized testing promptly.

He also advised travelers to malaria-prone regions to seek pre-travel advice and prophylactic medication to reduce risk and complications.