5 January 2007

Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Jamaica - update

As of 29 December 2006, there have been 163 cases of malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum, reported in Jamaica [1]. The outbreak, previously reported, began in late October 2006 and has been confined to the Kingston and St Andrew’s Corporation, with an additional two cases confirmed in neighbouring St Catherine’s province [2]. One case was also reported in a United States resident who travelled to the island from 29 October to 6 November 2006.

Active surveillance, prompt diagnosis and treatment, and vector control activities have been implemented with technical assistance provided to the Jamaican Ministry of Health by the Pan American Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Caribbean Epidemiology Center. Three thousand bed nets have also been donated for use in affected areas by the United Nation Development Fund [3]. The outbreak is now believed to be in decline, although active surveillance is continuing.

Advice for Travellers

Around 160,000 United Kingdom (UK) residents travel to Jamaica every year [4]. To date, malaria has not been documented in any UK travellers returning from Jamaica. The HPA Advisory Committee for Malaria Prevention in UK Travellers (ACMP) does not recommend malaria prevention tablets for UK travellers to Jamaica. Travellers to Jamaica, in particular to the Kingston area, should be aware of possible risk and protect themselves against evening and night-time biting mosquitoes (see NaTHNaC insect bite avoidance information sheet).

Any traveller who develops a febrile illness during travel, or for up to a year following their return to the UK, should be promptly evaluated and have a blood test for malaria without delay. In the unlikely event that any travellers do contract malaria after visiting Jamaica, the appropriate treatment is chloroquine.

This update has been adapted from Health Protection Report (HPR) Weekly

Health Protection Agency. Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Jamaica - update. Hlth Protect Rep Wkly 2007; Jan 5. [accessed 5 January 2007] Available at http://www.hpa.org.uk/hpr/news/default.htm#malaria

References

1. Ministry of Health, Jamaica. Vector control and fever surveillance for Horizon Adult Remand Centre. JIS E-Newsletter 29 December 2006; 6 (51) [cited 5 January 2007]. Available at http://www.moh.gov.jm/vector_fever.htm.

2. Public Health Agency of Canada. Malaria in Kingston, Jamaica. Travel Health Notices and International Reports 19 December 2006 [online] [cited 5 January 2007]. Available at http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/tmp-pmv/2006/mal_jam061219_e.html.

3. Ministry of Health, Jamaica. 3000 Mosquito Nets For Children in Affected Areas. JIS E-Newsletter 29 December 2006; 6 (51) [cited 5 January 2007]. Available at http://www.moh.gov.jm/MosquitoNets.htm.

4. World Tourism Organization (WTO). Yearbook of tourism statistics, 2005 [CD ROM]. Madrid: WTO, 2006.

Links to further information

Health Protection Agency malaria website

http://www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/malaria/default.htm

NaTHNaC malaria information

http://www.NaTHNaC.org/pro/factsheets/malaria.htm