New malaria case confirmed

Director of Health Promotion and Prevention in the Health Ministry, Dr. Eva Lewis Fuller is urging individuals to ensure they are not creating mosquito breeding sites following the confirmation of a new malaria case on the island.



Yesterday, the Ministry of Health confirmed that a 17 year old female student in the New Haven community of St. Andrew is being treated for the disease.



Dr. Lewis-Fuller said the parasite that was found in the student is the same that was responsible for the 2006 outbreak of the disease.



The anopheles mosquito transmits malaria and Dr. Lewis-Fuller said the ministry would be conducting intense surveillance in the community to identify breeding sites.



She is also advising individuals to wear long sleeved clothing at night and use mosquito repellent.