Malaria in the Bahamas 2012

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently received an official report of a confirmed case of malaria in a U.S. traveler who visited the island of Great Exuma, Bahamas in February and March of this year. The last documented case of malaria there was in 2008.  Malaria control measures and increased surveillance have been started.

If you have traveled to the Bahamas this winter and develop flu like symptoms, especially fever, see your health care provider and tell them you’ve been to a malaria area. You could develop symptoms for up to a year after exposure. Malaria can be detected by a special blood test. Treatment is most effective if started early.  Do not donate blood for a year after possible malaria exposure.

If you are planning on going to the Bahamas, be sure to use insect repellent with 30% DEET, cover up exposure skin and sleep in air conditioned rooms or with screens or be nets. For more info on malaria prevention go to the CDC and www.malariahotspots.co.uk/