The Ministry of Health reported last night that it has been in communication with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), headquartered in Washington, and the CDC in Atlanta, both of which reportedly support the surveillance efforts Bahamian health officials have undertaken so far.
The Ministry said, “While [CDC officials] have agreed not to issue a travel alert for the Bahamas, the CDC intends to advise Americans coming to Great Exuma to take prophylactic Choroquine as a preventative measure.”
That report came as hoteliers continued to monitor reports related to the presence of malaria on the island.
Earlier in the day, Antoine Chahwan, general manager of the Four Seasons Resort at Emerald Bay, said the occupancy level at his property was still around 80 percent and he said reports of the 16 malaria cases had had no negative impact.
“At this stage we have not had anything major, so to speak, so we are not overly concerned as long as we continue to do what we are doing in cooperation with the Ministry of Health to bring this particular issue under control,” Mr. Chahwan said.
Grand Isle Villas manager Ken Joos and February Point Resort manager Matt Marco also said that so far there had not been any negative fallout as a result of the malaria cases.
Last night, Ministry of Health officials confirmed that they were also screening detainees and staff at the Detention Centre in New Providence as several illegal immigrants had been brought in from Exuma on Saturday.
Assistant Director of Immigration Weston Saunders confirmed that eight undocumented Haitian migrants had been picked up in Exuma and transported to New Providence.
Health officials said because malaria is endemic in Haiti, surveillance teams have been screening areas in Exuma where Haitians reside.
Officials said they were awaiting reports from the reading of some 200 slides from persons residing or working in Exuma.
They also said that five of the nine patients who were being detained were released from hospital yesterday.
They were treated with Choroquine to which they all responded favourably, the statement said.
“They are in good health and will be followed up at the PMH over the next few weeks to ensure no relapse,” the statement added.
The ministry also said it wished to correct “erroneous reports”, which alleged that anti-mosquito fogging was not taking place in Exuma.
“That assertion is incorrect,” the statement said. “As the ministry indicated, a team from the Department of Environmental Health has been on the ground in Exuma for several weeks now and has been carrying out daily fogging activities since May 30.”
Last night, fogging was scheduled to take place in George Town, Rolle Town, Hartswell, Forbes Hill, Williams Town, the airport, Farmerﾒs Hill, Steventon, Rolleville, Curtis and Stuart Manor.
“The surveillance teams in Exuma are continuing their painstaking efforts within the local communities in Exuma and are making steady progress,” the statement said. “There has been no increase in the larvae or mosquito counts.”
Health officials reminded the public of the need to discard all collections of unused or stagnant water and to ensure that exposed areas of their bodies are covered at night. The use of insect repellants is also strongly advised.
Anyone with fever, chills, aches and pains etc. were again advised to seek medical attention so that they may be properly advised, tested and treated where necessary.
Officials reminded that malaria is not endemic in the Bahamas.
By: Candia Dames, The Bahama Journal
