Malaria in Jamaica

New Risk of Malaria with Travel to Kingston, Jamaica

As of January 3, 2007, the Jamaican Ministry of Health has reported 192 confirmed cases of malaria. Most have been in Kingston, with 6 in the adjacent parish of St. Catherine and 1 in Clarendon. One US resident who traveled to Kingston in November 2006 has been affected, but so far no Canadians. There have been no deaths, and no evidence of chloroquine resistance among treated cases.

The Public Health Agency of Canada is temporarily recommending chemoprophylaxis and personal protective measures to prevent malaria in anyone who may stay overnight in Kingston, Jamaica. This travel advisory is posted at: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/tmp-pmv/pub_e.html . Chloroquine is the malaria drug of choice for Jamaica. However, atovaquone/proguanil (malarone), doxycycline and mefloquine are equally effective as chloroquine and readily available.

Because prophylaxis is not 100%, anyone with clinical symptoms and a travel history to Kingston or anywhere else where malaria is present should have an urgent malaria work-up. Please remember to report any cases to your local health unit.

Information on malaria in other countries is at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/diseases/malaria/index.htm . CDC Atlanta travel news is posted at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/ .