Can anyone provide us any update ont he Malaria..if there are any cases in St.Bess.
Click here to read the latest about malaria in Jamaica.
I've never heard of malaria carrying mosquitoes in Jamaica before, this is new.
I had always thought malaria was absent from the island as well. Is this really new, or was it just 'under the radar' before?
First reported case in over 40 years.
Greetings Rebecca ... have there been any cases of malaria reported in TB or is it still contained to Kingston?
I hadn't heard of malaria here either, but we have dengue fever now and then. Same thing, carried by mosquitoes that breed after a heavy rain. It's called breakbone fever here. Brad had it, years ago, and said her bones felt as though they were breaking. But once you've had dengue fever, you're usually immune. Malaria keeps coming back.
IslandRefugee, even in Kingston, it is just in isolated areas.
MilwaukeeMike is correct. There are just over 50 cases reported as of this morning and it is confined to a small area of Kingston.
They said on the news this morning the incubation period is 3 weeks so they expected the numbers to rise a bit before they start going down.
No need to panic, the health authorities are saying. As others have explained, it is confined to a small geographic area (even the few cases outside of the identified zone apparently got it from visits to the zone); the main breeding sites for the particular type of mosquito have been identified and appropriately dealt with etc. Let's hope they have found them all!
Jamaica got rid of its endemic malaria problem 50 years ago so the new cases have reportedly been brought in by outside contacts (including Haiti).
Which is a further warning to some of our South Coast "fishermen" who have been making the treck to Haiti for clandestine purposes.
That is not to say that we should not have contacts with Haiti, but these should be properly regulated and the necessary health precautions put in place.
I am very sorry to learn that your fellow country-men and women are being affected by this nasty little parasite but am encouraged by the response of your government to control the situation and by the reported rapid health response bringing relief to those who have become ill. In life, there is always something ... aye aye. Jah bless.
Just 13 more sleeps and my family and I will be there in TB.
Even though I have had bad reports on DEET it is the recomended insect repellant.
Bring your repellant of choice Malaria or not
Tropical areas can be 'Bugs'R'Us' especially after dark and in swampy areas.
Also bring first aid stuff for any skin abrasions or bites.
Multi antibiotic creams work for me in iffy situations but I always travel with the best White Rum for external use, until we start to tune our drums!
As in all situations keep your immune system in top shape by whatever works for you
Lizards and spiders are some of the best insect
consumers including mosquitos. Most of my Lady friends however; will not put up with such nonsense :-)
Usually expecting the unexpected, Justice.