A breeding site suspected to be the main source of the Anopheles mosquito, which transmits malaria, was found and treated along Marcus Garvey Drive on Monday, according to the Ministry of Health.

The major drain runs along the stretch from the Tinson Pen Aerodrome to Seprod.

"The Ministry of Health strongly believes that the treatment of this breeding site will result in the reduction of the malaria cases in the Corporate Area," said a release from the ministry yesterday.

The Health Ministry said intensive surveillance efforts, fogging and oiling of other suspected breeding sites and further search and destroy missions will be sustained.

Health authorities yesterday confirmed the first case of malaria in Portmore, St. Catherine. The case was detected in Four West Greater Portmore, pushing to at least 21 the number of reported cases in Kingston and St. Catherine.

Opposition Spokesman on Health, Dr. Kenneth Baugh, has described the malaria outbreak as a serious crisis. "This is another occasion symptomatic of institutional delay, where the Ministry of Health has lost its way and is caught up with the 'miseries and shallows' of crisis management," said Dr. Baugh.

According to Dr. Baugh, if the epidemic gets out of control, it would have serious implications for the economy and social lives of people. One of the implications, he pointed to was that of tourism. He said a travel advisory could be issued against Jamaica and that the upcoming Cricket World Cup 2007 could also suffer.

"Nevertheless, we do believe that the epidemic can be brought under rapid control as long as all the necessary measures are put in place," he said.