Rasbert Turner, Gleaner Writer

As the Government increases its efforts to prevent more cases of malaria infection, residents of Greater Portmore, in St. Catherine, are expressing concern over several drains in their communities that need cleaning.

Residents are concerned about a possible outbreak of Malaria because the area is heavily infested with mosquitoes at nights.

Mayor of Portmore George Lee said yesterday that Minister of Health Horace Dalley had assured him that $2.5 million had been allocated to clean the drains, but so far no funds have been forthcoming. Mayor Lee said, however, that the residents have started their own cleaning and work had begun on sewage ponds in the vicinity of the Greater Portmore High School

At least three cases of the disease have been confirmed in the municipality while 13 blood samples have been sent for testing. The infected persons are from the communities of Greater Portmore, West Cumberland and Christian Pen.

A total of 77 cases of malaria have been confirmed by the Ministry of Health so far. Health officials say a further 300 blood smears have also been sent to the Center for Disease Control in the United States for testing. Most cases are still confined to Denham Town, Tivoli Gardens and Delacree Park in west Kingston.

The Ministry is still appealing to residents of the affected communtities to heed precautions and visit the nearest health centre if they show symptoms of the disease.

The health centres opened today are:

Kingston