Claudine Housen, Staff Reporter

WESTERN BUREAU:

The Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA) yesterday dismissed rumours that a case of malaria had been detected in the region.

According to Clinton Pickering, WRHA information officer, there has been no evidence to support the claims.

"I have been advised that there are still no confirmed cases of malaria in the western region," he said.

Reports reaching The Gleaner are that a case of malaria was discovered at the Hope Medical Clinic, in Albion, St. James. However, when the institution was contacted, a representative said that they heard the rumour but that "the allegations were false".

Under the health authority ranking scheme, malaria is seen as a class one disease which must be reported regardless of whether the case was brought to a private or public health facility.

Since the outbreak, the WRHA has stepped up surveillance measures as a precaution against the disease.

"Steps are already being put in place to work closely with the epidemiology department to increase surveillance in the region," Mr. Pickering said. "What this means is that areas that might be at risk for mosquito breeding will be treated consistently."