Jamaican Government Plans To Allocate $450,000 For Malaria Control Efforts

The Jamaican government plans to spend roughly $450,000 to tackle an outbreak of malaria, Information Minister Donald Buchanan said recently, the Caribbean Media Corporation reports (Caribbean Media Corporation, 12/5). At least 21 malaria cases have been detected in the Kingston area and the neighboring parish of St. Catherine, according to the Jamaica Gleaner (Jamaica Gleaner, 12/6). People diagnosed with malaria have been admitted to hospitals and are not in a life-threatening condition, according to health authorities (Reuters Health, 12/5). Buchanan said Jamaica's cabinet has approved the funding to support an aggressive prevention and control program that aims to identify people with malaria, treat malaria cases promptly, and prevent complications and a further spread of the disease (Caribbean Media Corporation, 12/5). The government also has increased insecticide spraying and launched a campaign to eliminate stagnant water where mosquitoes can breed (Reuters Health, 12/5). According to the Ministry of Health, the outbreak was imported and endemic malaria is not likely in Jamaica (Caribbean Media Corporation, 12/5). However, Kenneth Baugh, the opposition spokesperson on health, called the outbreak a serious crisis. He added that if the outbreak spreads, it could negatively impact Jamaica's economy and tourism (Jamaica Gleaner, 12/6). There have been no cases of malaria reported in the county for 50 years, according to Marion Ducasse, the health ministry's senior medical officer (Reuters Health, 12/5).