In addition to controlling malaria, the Dominican Republic provides free malaria testing, vaccines and treatment, said Dr. Ronald Scaves, director of epidemiology at the Ministry of Public Health.
This follows a recent case of a U.S. tourist who arrived in the country on a cruise ship due to health complications that resulted in him being admitted to intensive care.
According to the epidemiological bulletin issued by the agency, from January to the second week of July 2022, 330 cases have been detected, including several cases imported from Africa. Last year there were 190 cases, and as of epidemiological week 27, there were 140 cases and no deaths.
Dr Skywess said they found no other cases on the voyage, explaining that there was always one or two people arriving from Africa who tested positive for breast cancer, a vector-borne disease.
“There are no deaths, and we always detect and treat in time. We have medicines from all over the country, even from Africa.” Antimalarial drugs, rapid testing, and thick blood smears have confirmed its existence
“Other than the fact that the country is on the verge of declaring malaria elimination within a few years, there are no issues.”
He explained that one or two cases are detected every year among tourists or people who have traveled to Africa or other continents. He cites the example of a Japanese journalist in Africa who tested positive for malaria when he arrived.
He stressed that these people would be treated immediately because “this is a commitment that we, as a country with malaria cases, share with the rest of the world.”
Local foci were found in San Juan de la Maguana and Azua.
“Regarding malaria, eight cases were confirmed this week (SE-28) in San Juan and Azua outbreaks, four males and four females. The cumulative number of cases as of EW 28 is 140”, Epidemic 28 The medical report shows.
The Ministry of Public Health continues to actively conduct community-based febrile case hunting, treatment and investigation of identified cases, taking into account the risk level of each reported case.
Late Thursday, the Department of Public Health reported a case of imported malaria in a 52-year-old US citizen.
The note stated that the patient was sent to a health center in La Romana on August 1 after entering the country, and was diagnosed with pneumonia and a cerebrovascular accident.
The health authorities explained that, based on the medical history, the patient was transferred by ambulance from a cruise ship arriving at the port of La Romana when he was admitted (11:28 am, 1 August). When he was evaluated that day, he was conscious and oriented, with a history of fever, dyspnea and convulsions while on board.
He added that on the evening of the admission, the health center notified the La Romana Health Department that the case was suspected of malaria and that a diagnostic test was performed on it, which came back positive.
A relative said that the patient had been to Benin, West Africa, from June 24 to July 18. After returning to the United States, he boarded a cruise ship on July 27 and initially developed fever symptoms.
According to the epidemiological report, as of now, there have been no suspected cases.
The U.S. Embassy and the company operating the ship have been informed of the case, as required by the International Health Regulations.