Malaria News Alert
Paediatric Association of Jamaica in Association with the Ministry Of Health
Presents "Malaria Update"
On Sunday December 10, 2006
Venue: UHWI Large Lecture Theatre
Time: 9:30 am - 11:30am
PROTOCOL FOR PREVENTION, CONTROL & MANAGEMENT OF MALARIA - Pdf Format
The Ministry of Health Issues Health Alert
The Ministry of Health has recently identified four cases of malaria in Kingston and St. Catherine. A thorough and intensive investigation is now underway to establish whether these cases have been imported or contracted locally.
The measures being undertaken include house-to-house surveys in the affected areas to identify cases, elimination of mosquito breeding sites and fogging with insecticide in specific areas.
The Ministry of Health is taking these cases very seriously as Jamaica eradicated endemic Malaria over 50 years ago, and has only experienced a number of imported cases through visitors from countries with malaria.
The Ministry of Health advices that all persons with recent fever, and/or, “on and off” fever should see their doctor or visit the nearest health centre in order to rule out possible malaria infection. Doctors and other health providers need to be alert to rule out malaria in patients presented with fever.
At the same time the Minister of Health, the Hon. Horace Dalley assures the public that all will be done to safe guard the health of the nation. He also calls on communities to cooperate with the health workersas they carry out inspections and vector control activities in their area.
The Minister of Health has also instructed that a number of health centres be opened in Kingston and St. Catherine over this weekend to facilitate persons who experience malaria-like symptoms. The health centres that will be opened are:
Kingston
Maxfield Park Health Centre
Hagley Park Health Centre
Comprehensive Health Centre
St. Catherine
St. Jago Health Centre
Sydenham Health Centre
Malaria is transmitted by the Anopheles mosquito. The symptoms of malaria include fever, flu-like symptom with chills, headaches, muscle ache and tiredness.
Contact:
Ministry of Health, Public Relations
Tel: 967-1561/872-3880
Dr. Marion Bullock-DuCasse
Team Leader
366-1111
Dr. Peter Figueroa
Chief Epidemiologist, MOH
Dr. Eva Lewis-Fuller
Director, Health Promotion and Protection Division/ 877-5846
CASE 3
Sandra Peige, DOB 25/11/62.
Address: 1043 East 215 St. Bronx N.Y 10469
Telephone # : 718-231-3463 , 917-684-2762
S.P. arrived in Jamaica on October 29 and departed on November 6, 2006 along with mother and sister. On return to the USA, she became ill on November 17th and was seen by physician on the 18th. Her symptoms included fever (T- 104 F), sweating, headache, weakness. Although treatment has been given, its to be noted that she remains symptomatic and smears post treatment thus far have not cleared. This may have implication on the management and progression of other cases.
Travel History: S.P. has no travel to any other country and prior travel was to Jamaica last year. On her visit to Jamaica (October 29 - November 6, 2006), she stayed for the entire period in Seven Miles, Bull Bay but visited Tivoli Gardens daily and remained until late night. In Bull Bay she stayed with her aunt, Ena Taylor (Aunt Pet ). Aunt lives on Morgan’s Boulevard. (Landmark- after passing the block factory, and going over the bridge, there is a church on the right on the hill and the lane is ). In addition, living at the home are a cousin, Rosemarie Taylor (telephone: 876-750-0139), cousin’s male partner.
She visited Tivoli Gardens, along with her mother, sister (both from USA) and her cousin, Christopher Patch of Waterhouse (Telephone : 876-359-4406). She spent most of her time on the streets nearby 49 DC Ave. Contacts there include Aunt ‘Blessed’ who is a hairdresser and has a mother named ‘Chi-chi’. ‘Blessed’s home can be located from 49 DC Ave after passing a shop and 2 yards. She also was on Derrick Path and person ‘landmark’ at location is a female ‘Fatty’ (not a contact). On the 29th of November she also attended a funeral at May Pen Cemetery on November 1st and she also visited ‘Passa passa” that night.
Patient works at a home for the elderly in the USA and all her co-workers are Jamaicans who have not traveled and she does not have contact with Haitians.
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