A number of factors may contribute to epidemics of malaria affecting miners in subtropical and tropical regions.
Illegal mining primarily involves gold or gemstones. It involves predominantly single poor males hoping to strike it rich.
Risk factors for malaria and for epidemic outbreaks of malaria:
(1) introduction of a vulnerable population into a high-risk environment
(2) destruction of natural habitat with formation of pools suitable for breeding mosquitoes
(3) illegal mining operations with transient workers and little organization
(4) primitive conditions with no or few attempts to control mosquitoes or to protect workers
(5) no attempt to use prophylactic antimalarials
(6) no or limited healthcare
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Specialty: Infectious Diseases
