Reprinted from Caribbean Net News
caribbeannetnews.com

Publicise Jamaica's malaria, says Canada
12-13-2006

TORONTO, Canada (UPI): A Canadian tropical disease expert in Toronto says there should be more publicity about Jamaica's malaria outbreak at the beginning of the winter travel season.

Dr Jay Keystone, of Toronto General Hospital's tropical disease unit, said there needs to be more awareness of the outbreak, the first for Jamaica in more than 40 years, not just among travelers, but doctors as well.

He said while the mosquito-borne disease is easy to prevent, unwary travelers might not take precautions, and unsuspecting doctors might not immediately recognise the symptoms, the Globe and Mail reported.

Last week, Canada's Public Health Agency warned travelers to take anti-malaria drugs if planning to stay in or around the capital, Kingston.

Meanwhile, the Jamaica Gleaner reported Tuesday the number of infections had risen to 59 and quoted emergency officials as saying 75 percent of those affected of the have been responded to treatment.