Two Imported Cases of Malaria Confirmed in Jamaica
According to the Ministry of Health, two cases of imported malaria have been confirmed in Jamaica.
In a release on Sunday afternoon (January 8), the ministry stated the infection was found in a Jamaican who resided in Ghana and came back to the island in November of last year.
The other individual is an Indian national who came to Jamaica in March of last year.
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease affecting humans and other animals caused by parasitic protozoans (a group of single-celled microorganisms) belonging to the Plasmodium type.
It causes symptoms that typically include fever, fatigue, vomiting, and headaches. In severe cases it can cause yellow skin, seizures, coma, or death.
Symptoms usually begin ten to fifteen days after being bitten. If not properly treated, people may have recurrences of the disease months later.
Malaria was eradicated from Jamaica in 1961. However, there was an outbreak in 2006 and an emergency response led to a re-elimination in 2009.
The malaria parasite is transmitted to humans by the infected bite of the female Anopheles mosquitoes called “malaria vectors”. There are more than 30 anopheline species that transmit malaria and Anopheles albimanus is considered the principal vector for transmission in Jamaica.
The infected persons are currently under observation.
The Ministry of Health is urging Jamaicans to be cautious when travelling to countries affected by malaria.
Via Jamaica Gleaner
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