A malaria program response to an outbreak in a southern highlands village, Papua New Guinea

A malaria program was set up in the Papuan village of Tugiri in 2005 after an initial prevalence survey indicated a malaria infection rate of 20%. The program's goal to reduce malaria transmission at Tugiri had been achieved, with a prevalence rate of 2% recorded in 2009. In March 2009 an outbreak was identified through the surveillance system set up at the village - an outbreak that was the result of a series of events which combined to complete the malaria transmission cycle. Three response stages were initiated to address the outbreak that included access to diagnosis and treatment, education for health staff and community, and environmental control measures. Continuing surveillance indicated that the outbreak, and the local transmission cycle, had been broken by June 2009.