Warning, bring insect reppelant

[purefolie]

Government of Canada warns tourists that 2 cases of paludism have been declared recently in the South-East of DR, Altagracia/Bavaro area. The first victim is a French woman who travelled to Bavaro in September and the other vistim is a Spanish tourist who also travelled to Bavaro, in August.

Dominican Republic replied there was no danger to contract the illness and they are currently working with OPS to stop the transmission. Paludism is transmitted by "Anopheles", a mosquito that stings during evening and night. Now that you know, don't forget to bring insect reppelant for your next trip!!!

[ricktoronto]

Paludism is a rarely (if ever) used word for malaria, folks. If you travel to affected areas take Chloroquine. Note the Government of Canada did not use the term Pauldism as nobody knows what it means, well, I guess the OP does.

Info- CDC: Announcement
New CDC Malaria Drug Recommendations for La Altagracia Province, Dominican Republic
This information is current as of today, November 16, 2005, 11:26:24 AM

Released: October 21, 2005

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have received reports of 2 recent cases of malaria in travelers to the Dominican Republic who visited resorts and surrounding areas in La Altagracia Province, an area where malaria transmission has been infrequently reported and for which antimalarial drugs were not previously recommended. (more at link)


Link Here: http://www.cdc.gov/travel/other/mala...ublic_2005.htm

Canada Public Health Link: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/tmp-pmv/2..._dr1107_e.html

[PJT]

ricktoronto, as always thank you for providing good information.

You helped clarify the OP's message. At first view I thought we were into some new malady.

Readers please note: The messages are well intentioned and are informational. But please be aware, not to downplay the devastating effects of the disease to those who have been afflicted, there is no epidemic, the sky is not falling.

Domincian public health authorities in order to keep things safe for the residents and the all important visitors are in concert with the resorts and contractors of the region have programs to monitor employee health and the eradication and spraying of mosquito breeding areas. Private residential areas have their own prevention programs. PJT has observed it in his own residential.

But, just like anywhere in the world where there are nuisance disease carrying insects you are the first person responsible for your own well being. Seek professional advice from a doctor or recognized health care specialist regarding preventative health measures customized to you.

Enjoy good health and great holidays.

Regards,
PJY

[megamania]

Question?? Could there be a chance of malaria if you are staying on the North Coast, or would it be very unlikely. The reason I am asking is that my husband has no spleen, as a result of a snowmobile accident. Apparently , he should not go to places like Africa where Malaria is a high risk. What do you think about Cabarete,Sosua, POP areas?

Thanks

[purefolie]

I haven't read anything about cases on the North coast. The warning is for South East, la Altagracia (Bavaro).

[joecanada]

Mega,

The 'outbreak' of malaria last year in Punta Cana was reportedly a combination of two factors:

1) the stagnant water after the hurricane making a better than usual breeding ground for mosquitoes, and
2) the huge number of Haitian workers (Haiti being a hotbed of malaria) employed in the incredible amounts of construction in punta cana

Neither of those conditions existed to the same extent on the North Coast, therefore we were spared the problem and attendant publicity.

It's worth noting that the malaria scare was hardly an epidemic. While a few tourists contracted the disease, it was a statisticaly insignificant amount when compared to the volume of travellers to the region at that time. While it's governments' responsibility to warn its citizens of threats such as Malaria, the problem was definitely reported out of proportion.

[Chris]

Originally Posted by joecanada

..

2) the huge number of Haitian workers (Haiti being a hotbed of malaria) employed in the incredible amounts of construction in punta cana

I think this is wrongly stated. One contracts malaria from a mosquito bite (Anopheles mosquito). Unless I misunderstand and malaria carrying Haitians were biting the tourists

[purefolie]

I agree that Haitians are not bringing mosquitos... Government of Canada said this was mainly due to the abondant rains there have been in the area.

[Malibook]

Originally Posted by Chris

I think this is wrongly stated. One contracts malaria from a mosquito bite (Anopheles mosquito). Unless I misunderstand and malaria carrying Haitians were biting the tourists

Maybe he means that the mosquitos got it from the Haitians.

[FireGuy]

Originally Posted by Chris

I think this is wrongly stated. One contracts malaria from a mosquito bite (Anopheles mosquito). Unless I misunderstand and malaria carrying Haitians were biting the tourists

Actually, Chris they are - indirectly.

Here is a cut & paste of a posting I did on another board about this issue:

In the Punta Cana area there are two issues which together "cause" the malaria outbreaks; kind of like a "perfect storm".

1) In order for malaria to be spread there must be female Anopheles mosquitoes present. This is why the presence of standing water is critical for an outbreak to be present because there must be large numbers of these mosquitoes in order for the mosquito - human interaction to occur. The standing water is an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes.

2) In addition there must be a source of the malaria parasite present in the area (in human carriers) in order for the female Anopheles mosquito to become a carrier (the mosquitoes are not born with the parasite present; it must be acquired). The mosquitoes bite an infected carrier and then become carriers themselves and deposit the parasite in a previously uninfected individual via their bite. The fact that there are significant numbers of construction projects in the Punta Cana area and the fact that the majority of DR construction workers are Haitian (a population with a higher than average incidence of being malaria carriers due to the high malaria statistics in their home country) provides the parasite pool which allows the female Anopheles mosquitoes to become carriers themselves.

For the past couple of years Punta Cana has been fertile ground for malaria transmission since there is above average construction as well as above average rainfall - especially last Fall from Hurricane Jeanne.

Gregg