Health Ministry issues malaria outbreak warning
Although the malaria parasite has almost been eradicated completely in Suriname, the country remains vulnerable to malaria transmissions due to the presence of the malaria mosquitoes (Anopheles) in the hinterland. “This year there were reports of reintroduction of malaria in the Amerindian villages of Palumeu and Pele Tepu which are located along the Tapanahony River,” said the Ministry of Health. The Ministry of Health, the Medische Zending and the Public Health Bureau (BOG) are trying to contain the malaria transmissions in these villages with the malaria program. There is a clear and present threat of a malaria outbreak as malaria cases come from countries where malaria is prevalent such as French Guiana, Brazil, Guiana, Venezuela and Africa. The local communities are regularly screened and provided with repellent and impregnated mosquito nets. People who want to travel to the hinterland and in particular to these villages are asked to contact the AntiMalaria Campaign (AMC) Department of the Public Health Bureau for advice regarding the use of antimalaria pills. Health officials recommend taking safety precautions such as sleeping under a mosquito net, wearing clothes that cover the entire body or that have been sprayed with insecticide or repellant and smearing the body with repellent.
Malaria is caused by a parasite that is spread among humans by the malaria mosquito (Anopheles). This mosquito usually stings people from dusk till dawn. The symptoms of malaria are similar to those of the common cold. Malaria is a life-threatening disease. Common symptoms of malaria include: shaking chills that can range from moderate to severe, high fever, headache, nausea, vomiting and muscle pain.
Suriname went from a thousand malaria cases a year at the beginning of this century to just 30 cases in 2018. The nation achieved its millennium goal in the fight against malaria in 2007. Since then the Ministry of Health has committed itself to eliminating malaria in Suriname. Suriname has been named Malaria Champions of the Americas thrice due to its success. The ministry made it clear that people must remain cautious as it is always possible that there could be new infections.