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Malaria detected in Jamaica

The Ministry of Health is reporting three imported cases of malaria in Jamaica.

The mosquito-borne disease has been detected among members of the Haitian under-17 football team, who are  currently in the island to participate in the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying Competition.

A statement issued on Tuesday night by the Health Ministry said the infected persons are being treated.

Members of the team displaying symptoms of the illness are also receiving treatment.

The Ministry has recommended that they do not participate in the tournament and return to Haiti.

The Ministry has also implemented its surveillance system, to quickly identify and treat any other cases.

Vector control measures, including fogging of adult mosquitoes have also been put in place.                     

According to the Health Ministry there have been no locally transmitted cases of malaria since the start of the year.              

The disease is transmitted when a female Anopheles mosquito, infected with a malaria parasite bites an individual.

Symptoms include fever, chills and headaches, muscle aches and tiredness.

The Centres for Disease Control estimate that there are between 300 and 500 million cases of malaria each year, of which there are one million deaths.

And the Ministry of Health says there is no need for alarm in light of the three cases of malaria. 

Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Sheila Campbell-Forrester, spoke with our news centre.     

“Well as the news release says they are imported cases and there is no need to be alarmed, we are addressing the matter,” Dr. Campbell-Forrester said.

 



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