Malaria Case Acquired in the Bahamas (Great Exuma)
Updated 3/30/2012 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently received an official report of a confirmed case of malaria in a U.S. traveler to the island of Great Exuma, Bahamas. The traveler visited the island between February and March 2012 and reported no additional recent travel outside of the U.S. Plasmodium falciparum has been confirmed as the type of malaria infection. Malaria caused by P. falciparum can in some cases rapidly result in a severe, life-threatening illness if not promptly treated.
At this time, CDC is recommending an antimalarial medication for travelers who may stay overnight in Great Exuma, Bahamas only. Any of these four antimalarial drugs can be prescribed: atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone), chloroquine, doxycycline, or mefloquine. Travelers to other islands presently do not need to take an antimalarial drug. This recommendation is expected to be temporary.
Additionally, travelers should monitor their health during travel and for up to 1 year after return from the Bahamas for any symptoms of malaria, which are flu-like, such as fever and chills. If symptoms occur the traveler should seek immediate medical care and inform the health-care provider of their travel to an area currently experiencing a malaria outbreak.
An outbreak of malaria previously occurred on Great Exuma Island, Bahamas in 2006, and the last documented case on the island was in 2008. Malaria is not endemic to the Bahamas and no malaria cases had been reported from the country since then.
More information about malaria can be found at the CDC Malaria homepage. General health information for travel to the Bahamas can be found at the CDC Travelers’ Health website.
Health-care providers needing assistance with diagnosis or management of suspected cases of malaria should call the CDC Malaria Hotline: 770-488-7788 or toll- free 855-856-4713 (M-F, 9 am-5:00 pm, Eastern Time). For consultation after hours, call 770-488-7100 and ask to speak with a CDC Malaria Branch clinician.
At this time, CDC is recommending an antimalarial medication for travelers who may stay overnight in Great Exuma, Bahamas only. Any of these four antimalarial drugs can be prescribed: atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone), chloroquine, doxycycline, or mefloquine. Travelers to other islands presently do not need to take an antimalarial drug. This recommendation is expected to be temporary.
Additionally, travelers should monitor their health during travel and for up to 1 year after return from the Bahamas for any symptoms of malaria, which are flu-like, such as fever and chills. If symptoms occur the traveler should seek immediate medical care and inform the health-care provider of their travel to an area currently experiencing a malaria outbreak.
More on: Malaria Symptoms
Malaria control measures have been implemented in the Bahamas, environmental controls have been put into operation, and on-island surveillance has been enhanced. Officials will inform of any new cases of Malaria if they are discovered.An outbreak of malaria previously occurred on Great Exuma Island, Bahamas in 2006, and the last documented case on the island was in 2008. Malaria is not endemic to the Bahamas and no malaria cases had been reported from the country since then.
More information about malaria can be found at the CDC Malaria homepage. General health information for travel to the Bahamas can be found at the CDC Travelers’ Health website.
Health-care providers needing assistance with diagnosis or management of suspected cases of malaria should call the CDC Malaria Hotline: 770-488-7788 or toll- free 855-856-4713 (M-F, 9 am-5:00 pm, Eastern Time). For consultation after hours, call 770-488-7100 and ask to speak with a CDC Malaria Branch clinician.
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