MALARIA IN THE AUSTRALIAN ARMY IN SOUTH VIETNAM SUCCESSFUL USE OF A PROGUANIL‐DAPSONE COMBINATION FOR CHEMOPROPHYLAXIS OF CHLOROQUINE‐RESISTANT FALCIPARUM MALARIA

Annual epidemics of falciparum malaria occurred in the Australian Army in South Vietnam during 1965–1968 when proguanil alone was used for chemoprophylaxis. In the period 1969–1971 the addition of dapsone to the proguanil regimen resulted in a dramatic fall in malaria Incidence: the annual epidemics were eliminated and the overall incidence was considerably reduced. Based on experience in the earlier period a method was devised which permitted dapsone to be withdrawn and later recommenced without significant resurgence of malaria.