Cell phone use for detection and treatment of malaria cases in an endemic remote district of Bangladesh.

The recent introduction of cell phones in rural areas of Bandarban District has provided an opportunity to improve malaria surveillance. icddrb in collaboration with the Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute added cell phone reporting of fever to the existing passive malaria surveillance platform in 2010. From June 2010 to June 2012 986 telephone calls were received leading to 1046 people being tested for malaria of whom 265 (25%) tested positive for malaria. Of 509 malaria cases reported via passive surveillance during this period a cell phone was used to initiate testing and treatment for 265 (52%). The use of cell phones helped the study team identify cases and provided the community with increased access to care and treatment. Cell phone-based case reporting could improve detection and treatment of malaria and other febrile illnesses in other hard-to reach areas.