Update: October 26, 2007
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has been notified of two new cases of Plasmodium falciparum malaria in residents of Kingston, Jamaica. Until further information is available on the localized malaria activity in Jamaica, the Public Health Agency of Canada recommends Canadian travellers protect themselves from mosquito bites (between dusk and dawn) if staying overnight in Kingston, Jamaica. See Recommendations below.
From November 1, 2006 to September 30, 2007 the Jamaican Ministry of Health reported a total of 370 confirmed cases of Plasmodium falciparum malaria, with no reports of death: 342 of the reported cases occurred in the Kingston and St. Andrew region. For previous travel health advisories on malaria in Kingston, Jamaica, see: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/tmp-pmv/disarch_e.html#malaria
Malaria is not endemic to Jamaica. Except for a small number of imported cases each year, Jamaica had been malaria free for the last 41 years. However, Jamaica is susceptible to the reintroduction of local transmission of this disease given its tropical climate, the presence of the mosquito that is capable of transmitting the disease, and its proximity to countries with endemic malaria.
Source: Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Jamaican Ministry of Health
Malaria
Malaria is an acute flu-like illness caused by one of four species of parasite of the genus Plasmodium; Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale and Plasmodium malariae. Infection with P. falciparum malaria can be fatal. The disease is most commonly transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito – a dusk-to-dawn biter. Symptoms of malaria include fever and flu-like symptoms such as headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain and malaise. Rigors (severe shakes or muscle spasms) and chills often occur.
Malaria is endemic (i.e., constantly present) in most of sub-Saharan Africa; in large areas of the Middle East, South Asia, South East Asia, Oceania, Haiti, Central and South America; and in parts of Mexico, North Africa and the Dominican Republic.
For additional information on the prevention and treatment of malaria, consult the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Disease Information Backgrounder on Malaria.
Recommendations
The Public Health Agency of Canada recommends Canadian travellers protect themselves from mosquito bites (between dusk and dawn) if staying overnight in Kingston, Jamaica. Comprehensive information on mosquito-bite avoidance is detailed in CATMAT's "Statement on Personal Protective Measures to Prevent Arthropod Bites”
All travellers to an area where malaria occurs or where an outbreak has been reported, regardless of whether or not they have taken malaria prophylaxis, must understand that any fever should be immediately followed up with a medical consultation to rule out malaria.
As a reminder...
The Public Health Agency of Canada routinely recommends that Canadian international travellers consult their personal physician or a travel clinic prior to international travel, regardless of destination, for an individual risk assessment to determine their individual health risks and their need for vaccination, preventative medication, and personal protective measures.
The Public Health Agency of Canada recommends, as well, that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada should seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician, without being asked, that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada, and where they have been.
For additional information from the Public Health Agency of Canada:
Read the Travel Medicine Program’s previous Travel Health Advisories on malaria at: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/tmp-pmv/info/pal_mal_e.html
Consult the Travel Medicine Program’s document: Immunizations Recommended for Travel Outside of Canada
Consult the Committee to Advise on Tropical Medicine and Travel (CATMAT) Statement on the Prevention and Treatment of Malaria Among International Travellers
Visit Malaria – Frequently Asked Questions
Additional information from other sources:
For information on the Global Malaria Programme (GMP), visit: http://www.who.int/malaria/
