Emerg Infect DiseidEmerging Infectious Diseases1080-60401080-6059Centers for Disease Control117477432631896Research ArticleMalaria in illegal Chinese immigrants, Italy.MatteelliA.forleo@master.cci.unibs.itVolonterioA.GullettaM.GalimbertiL.MaroccoloS.GaieraG.GianiG.RossiM.DorigoniN.BellinaL.OrlandoG.BisoffiZ.CastelliF.Institute of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University of Brescia, Italy.Nov-Dec20017610551058

A cluster of 22 imported malaria cases, 21 caused by Plasmodium falciparum, was observed among illegal Chinese immigrants in northern Italy in the summer of 2000. The rate of severe disease was high because the patients were not immune and they sought health-care services late in their illness because of their clandestine status. Recognition of the outbreak was delayed because no regional alert system among infectious diseases hospitals was in place.