Heard Malaria is in TB? Can anyone confirm?

You know Tee, when you post something like that, you really should leave a contact email address.
I'm surprised this post is allowable unless there is some truth to back it up!

I plan on arriving Thursday the 8th unless I'm bitten by a poisonous snake or a terrorist kidnaps me on route {insert sarcasm filter here}

Of course if I really don't show up, look for me in the holes in the road and try to get your useless local politician to help pay for my burial!

In all seriousness, I have a friend from Illinois that wanted to bring his family to Treasure Beach as a gift to celebrate his daughters upcoming wedding. He has changed his plans because of the roads. He is out for sure even if they were fixed tomorrow as he needed to make firm plans. How many others have cancelled or just quietly decided on a different location because of this inexcusable abandonment of Treasure Beach. Why do I suspect that the roads aren't quite as bad near Whitehouse?
Remember who your friends were at voting time.

Just heard on the news two confirmed cases in Great Bay. The Public Health are very good I must say and are pursuing and following up.

Notice in my post Milwaukee Mike that I said I <u>"Heard"<u> that there was a case of malaria in TB. Meaning not sure if it's true or not. It was posted so someone in the community could shed some information on the matter.

I have heard exactly what 'Just in' has said. There are two confirmed cases in Great Bay. I will also agree with 'Just in' that the Public Health Department has acted quickly and professionally. They have been spraying the area nightly and are performing door to door interviews to make sure no one else is experiencing any symptoms.

Maybe the Public Health Department should be put in charge of the road repairs?!?!

I understand this is a different strain than was found in Kingston. You experience a very high fever and flu like symptoms. The Public Health Department is recommending everyone apply repellent and cover up at night.

If anyone has any further factual information, please let us know. What we do not need now is rumors.

i heard the same, but as usual they try to catch the horse after it bolted from the gates meaning they neglect the area after those cases they spray ponds and so forth if you know what i mean

Jamaica Observer Link--RE: MALARIA

http://jamaicaobserver.com/news/html/20070203T210000-0500_118723_OBS_TWO_NEW_MAL ARIA_CASES_IN_ST_ELIZABETH_.asp

Two new malaria cases in St Elizabeth

BY VAUGHN DAVIS Sunday Observer staff reporter davisv@jamaicaobserver.com
Sunday, February 04, 2007



The health ministry yesterday confirmed two new cases of malaria in the Great Bay area of St Elizabeth and said that they were connected to a person who had recently visited a malaria-endemic country in Latin America.

Dr Michael Coombs, regional technical advisor for the Southern Regional Health Authority, told the Sunday Observer that the types of malaria parasites noticed in the St Elizabeth cases were different from the cases discovered in Kingston.
"There are different types of parasites that cause malaria. The type of parasite found in the St Elizabeth cases is different from those that were found in Kingston." said Dr Coombs. "There is no evidence that the cases we are seeing in St Elizabeth are similar to those found in Kingston."

Coombs also said that measures were already in place to bring the situation in the Great Bay area under control, and to prevent any further outbreaks. He attributed this in part to the continual recurrence of imported cases of malaria to the area.

"For years now, we've had sporadic cases of malaria in some of the south coast parishes, including St Elizabeth," said Coombs. "We've had what you call sporadic imported cases, and those are cases that really were originating in Central America. and that has been going on for years now. Even before the situation in Kingston, we had a programme to deal with the vector and other vectors. But since the outbreak in Kingston, we have strengthened that, as has happened across the island, including for the parish of St Elizabeth.

"In all of that we are re-doubling our efforts. We have no shortage of drugs. We also have no shortage of supplies to control the breeding sites for the mosquitoes, we have additional mosquito workers. We have not really identified any serious gaps and also we're fully supported by the Ministry of Health at the national level," Coombs told the Sunday Observer.

According to the press release issued by the MOH, house-to-house visits will also be conducted in the Great Bay area to speedily identify any other cases. It also stated that a search and destroy thrust aimed at adult Anopheles mosquitoes and their larvae has been launched.

Meanwhile, Coombs also stated that with the help of the police, persons arriving in the island on cruise ships were being screened for malaria.
"We have been screening persons who arrive on these ships along the coastline to make sure that they are not coming here with the parasite, or if they have them that they are treated, [and] the police have been involved here," he said.

Coombs, however, stated that their efforts faced a serious challenge from what he claimed was the easy access to our borders gained by Central American nationals.

"One of the challenges along the south coast, including St Elizabeth, has to do with our borders, and this is something that the authorities will have to address," said Coombs. "I know it is a difficult thing to deal with, but as long as we have [people] being able to just enter from places in Central America, where [they] have the parasite, then we're going to be at risk."
This concern was echoed by Jamaica Labour Party caretaker for the south-west St Elizabeth constituency Chris Tufton.

"Being a fishing area, residents are exposed to foreigners involved in the fishing industry, in particular Hondurans and Nicaraguans," said Tufton. "There is also less frequent interaction of Colombians and Haitians. Some of these nationalities represent high-risk groups for malaria transmission. It is important that the Government set up a monitoring mechanism to track foreigners coming into the area and locals travelling to these destinations," Tufton said in a press release.

In the meantime, Coombs was unable to confirm that the cases in St Elizabeth involved an elderly woman and a female student. He verified, however, that the two infected persons had not travelled out of the area in recent times, and also that they were confirmed last Thursday.

Funny how a simple innocent question can cause such wierd responses on message boards.

Yes, there have been two confirmed cases in Great Bay. There also has been a wonderful response by the ministry of health who have gone door to door to seek information if anyone in any the houses has had symptoms and there has been spraying by truck and men on foot nearly everyday for over a week now.

No need for TEE to put their email address in and get spammed.

Also really no need critisize the webmaster for using excellent judgement by posting the commnet (doubt you'd see that happen on other sites).

Obviously MilwalkeeMike doesn't live in JA or he would know that is doesnt' matter who you vote for whether or not you get roads, the corruption is a bit deeper and the mechanisms to create positive change much more complex and far reaching than the Jamaican government.

Furthermore, the roads near Whitehouse can't get as bad as the road below station as the roads near Whitehouse (and Sandals as you seem to imply) are FLAT.

Have you seen ANY government party fix the fundamental problems in TB or the rest of JA for that matter? No, the issues are too far out of any one's hands.

The roads ARE horrible, but most TB addicts are not going to change their plans over the state of the roads. Nor are the first timers who are scared off going to impact the community much as I doubt TB is really their cup of tea.

Just my two cents. Like TEE said, they "heard" and they happened to hear right. The government is actually doing a GREAT job in response to the few confirmed cases in the area. A valid question, a worthy post, and an unneccessery critical response which of the first two posts in the thread, the one which was maybe the least worthy of publishing.

If you are coming within the week, might I suggest lightening up a bit before your arrival?

OK Tee, it just seemed to come from left field that I thought it was related to the old Kingston malaria news. I'm glad now you posted it. Malaria anywhere in Jamaica is not good news and for it to be in the Treasure Beach area is scary stuff indeed. Where can I find DEET mosquito repellent in Milwaukee now that the temperature is minus 2F which is minus 19C. Baby that is cold outside! It is colder than a Jamaican road repair boss's heart!

Here we go again.....
Milwaukee Mike, I can't understand why Tee would need to leave her email address or why you are surprised that her post was allowable?? Is the confirmation from the Health Dept enough for you? This is getting to be a bit ridiculous that people can not go onto this site and post questions or concerns without the sarcastic replies of others.

Gleaner and Observer have articles:

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/html/20070203T210000-0500_118723_OBS_TWO_NEW _MALARIA_CASES_IN_ST_ELIZABETH_.asp

http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20070204/news/news2.html

Two malaria cases confirmed in St. Elizabeth

There have been two new confirmed cases of malaria with more suspected cases being investigated.

The latest cases are in the rural community of Great Bay in South West St. Elizabeth.

Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Caretaker for South West St. Elizabeth, Dr. Christopher Tufton, who raised the concern, said the affected persons are an elderly woman and a female student both of whom did not travel outside of their community in recent times.

Speaking with RJR News Saturday morning Health Minister Horace Dalley says the confirmation cements the ministry's theories that the disease is coming into the country through the coast.

He says this is particularly so in cases where fishermen trade with Haiti and Honduras.

Dr. Tufton is calling on the Government should move speedily to implement appropriate measures to address the situation.

http://www.radiojamaica.com/news/story.php?category=0&story=32523

Gleaner, Radio Jamaica and Observer have articles:

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/html/20070203T210000-0500_118723_OBS_TWO_NEW _MALARIA_CASES_IN_ST_ELIZABETH_.asp

http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20070204/news/news2.html

http://www.radiojamaica.com/news/story.php?category=2&story=32533

http://www.jis.gov.jm/health/html/20061221T100000-0500_10924_JIS_RESIDENTS_OF_ST __ELIZABETH_BENEFIT_FROM_MALARIA_OUTREACH_PROGRAMME.asp

It sounds like the Ministry of Health in Jamaica is being VERY proactive on this possibility, and as in many other countries of the world, one must just take the necessary precautions and like Rebecca said, wear repellent, cover up and watch where you are after dark (ex. wet sand, damp areas, etc. where mosquitoes breed and hang out).

My daughter is allergic to mosquitoes, and there have always been a lot of them in TB especially in rainy season, and only once has she reacted enough to even need an antihistimine or her medication... it's all about preventing the little buggers from wanting to be around you! I would not stay away until specifically being told to stay away.... personal choice though.

We need to find the fishermen or persons from Central America who brought the virus into Great Bay; we are making too many assumptions. Neither of the reported cases left the area in recent times, so there is at least one other person out there that brought the virus in, IF the assumptions are valid.
Managing the information to the public is just as important as managing the outbreak.

...........If you are coming within the week, might I suggest lightening up a bit before your arrival?...................


.......... ???????????????????????......

Does anyone know what the symptoms would be if a person was infected?

Ok everyone no need to panic. Go to your local health food store or where ever you can pick up homeopathic remedies (natural remedies) for you allopathic types. Pick up Natrum Muriaticum 200CH. One week prior to departure you take 2 pellets under your tongue - let them dissolve and take 20 mins before or after any strong tastes Ie: coffee, toothpaste, garlic etc. Then take another dose (2 more pellets) day before leaving and then take another dose when you get back from your trip.

This is a natural remedy for Malaria, so no need to run off and fill your body with toxins from a vaccine. I did this for Hepatitis before as well.

Take your remedy, bring your bug repellant if you must and enjoy your vacation!

I'm leaving on Tuesday for 11 glorious days in TB so won't be able to reply if you have other questions. If you don't believe me contact your local Naturopathic Doctor or Homeopath.

Symptoms of malaria: chills, fever, and sweating; Headache; Nausea and vomiting; Muscle pain; Anemia;
These vary in severity depending on the individual concerned, and may not all present in one case.
Generally feeling unwell and weak.
I have seen a lot of it when in Ghana West Africa

Tee, this is from Wikipedia:
Malaria parasites are transmitted by female Anopheles mosquitoes. The parasites multiply within red blood cells, causing symptoms that include symptoms of anemia (light headedness, shortness of breath, tachycardia etc.), as well as other general symptoms such as fever, chills, flu-like illness, and in severe cases, coma and death. Malaria transmission can be reduced by preventing mosquito bites with mosquito nets and insect repellents, or by mosquito control by spraying insecticides inside houses and draining standing water where mosquitoes lay their eggs.

Unfortunately, no vaccine is currently available for malaria. Instead preventative drugs must be taken continuously to reduce the risk of infection. These prophylactic drug treatments are simply too expensive for most people living in endemic areas. Malaria infections are treated through the use of antimalarial drugs, such as chloroquine or pyrimethamine, although drug resistance is increasingly common.

This is a site that can be linked to find out more about malaria
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/travel/diseases/malaria_disease.htm