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Éxito en el control de un brote de malaria por Plasmodium falciparum en Jamaica
Author(s) -
WebsterKerr Karen,
Peter Figueroa J.,
Weir Pauline L.,
LewisBell Karen,
Baker Everton,
HornerBryce Jeannette,
LewisFuller Eva,
Bullock DuCasse Marion,
Carter Keith H.,
CampbellForrester Sheila
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
tropical medicine and international health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.056
H-Index - 114
eISSN - 1365-3156
pISSN - 1360-2276
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3156.2010.02700.x
Subject(s) - outbreak , malaria , christian ministry , plasmodium falciparum , medicine , chloroquine , public health , emergency response , environmental health , virology , immunology , medical emergency , pathology , political science , law
Summary In 2006, after 44 years of eradication of malaria, Jamaica had an outbreak of Plasmodium falciparum: 406 confirmed cases between September 2006 and December 2009 with a peak of the epidemic in December 2006. In response to the outbreak, the Ministry of Health launched an emergency response through early detection and prompt treatment of cases, vector control, public education and intersectoral collaboration. Ninety percent (361) of cases were residents of Kingston, and 63.6% were identified through house to house surveillance visits. For 56% of the confirmed cases, treatment with chloroquine was initiated within a week of onset of symptoms. Only one (0.3%) of 358 cases who had a post‐treatment smear on day 7 had a persistent asexual parasitaemia, while none of the 149 persons who had a follow‐up smear on day 28 was positive. The outbreak highlighted the need for increased institutional capacity for surveillance, confirmation and treatment of malaria as well as effective prevention and control of outbreaks which can occur after elimination. Jamaica appears to have successfully eliminated malaria after its reintroduction.