Shelly-Ann Thompson, Freelance Writer

Although the number of confirmed cases of malaria has reached 186 - 100 more than Government initially claimed to have been anticipating - the Ministry of Health is still maintaining that the disease is under control.

Speaking with The Gleaner yesterday, Dr. Marion Bullock-DuCasse, director of emergency, disaster management and special services in the Ministry of Health, said that up to last week, there were at least 200 samples per day to be tested from which there were two or three positive.

This figure is a decrease from about seven new cases per day up to two weeks ago, said Dr. Bullock-DuCasse.

"The figures must increase as we continue to test the samples including those we had before. But, the rate of increase has slowed down," said Dr. Bullock-DuCasse.

Expecting new cases

Reluctant to provide a time frame on when Jamaica will once again be malaria free, Dr. Bullock-DuCasse said health officials are expecting new cases throughout January.

"We must look at the onset of the disease, majority of which occurred from early to mid-December. Persons we know that were infected from the end of November to December," added Dr. Bullock-DuCasse.

Last Thursday, a second phase of extensive control of the anopheles mosquito was started by the ministry.

"This will see four cycles being repeated every day. Meaning that it takes seven days to start again," explained Dr. Bullock-DuCasse.

More than 7,000 households have been visited, by the ministry, which will be revisited by health personnel.

Dr. Bullock-DuCasse said 151 of the 186 confirmed cases have been successfully treated.

"In mid-January, the ministry will make a statement in terms of where we are with reducing the vector and containing the infection," said Dr. Bullock-DuCasse.

Meanwhile, she is advising persons experiencing fever to visit the nearest hospital to rule out possible malaria infection.