There are now at least eight confirmed cases of malaria in the Bahamas, according to well-placed sources.
Initial reports from the Ministry of Health indicated that a case discovered in Exuma last week was isolated – however, two independent sources inside the medical community say the government is now treating at least eight cases of the fever.
One source said health officials were aware of three cases by last week Friday and an additional five by Monday. However, the government has yet to update the public on the matter.
It is understood government has ordered a rush delivery of chloroquine phosphate, a chemical used to treat malaria, as only a small supply is kept in the country to inoculate residents who are travelling to regions where the fever is prevalent.
Yesterday, The Tribune attempted to contact Minister of Health Dr Bernard Nottage for comment, as well as Director of Public Health Baldwin Carey, Health Permanent Secretary Elma Garroway, Chief Medical Officer Merceline Dahl-Regis and Public Hospitals Authority managing director Herbert Brown, but all were said to be in meetings.
According to one source, all eight cases were diagnosed in Exuma and the patients were sent to New Providence, where blood tests confirmed that they were suffering from malaria.
Another source stated that Ministry of Health officials were first alerted to the case after an American, working on one of the cays in Exuma, tested positive for the disease upon his return to the US.
Reportedly, it was the US medical officials who contacted the Bahamas’ Ministry of Health, thus spurring on the department’s push for the immediate implementation of preventative measures.
Health officials maintain that the kind of mosquito that carries the disease is not prevalent in the Bahamas, but that sporadic cases are encountered from time to time. As Health officials previously emphasised, such cases are usually imported.
Common symptoms of malaria include recurrent bouts of fever, chills, body aches, pains and headaches. The ministry advised that if persons are experiencing such symptoms they should report immediately to the nearest health care provider or clinic.
By PAUL TURNQUEST and PACO NUNEZ
