Guyana has recorded a significant decrease in the number of malaria cases in 2013, while health authorities continue to urge early diagnosis of the vector-borne disease in a bid to reduce the mortality rate.
Figures released by the Ministry of Health showed that in 2013 there were 23,489 cases of malaria as against 31,602 for the previous year.
The ministry gave no figures regarding deaths but said malaria mortality rates continued to fall as increased malaria prevention and control measures continue to dramatically reduce the impact of the disease.
It said efforts at combating the disease, driven through the Vector Control Services (VCS) of the Ministry of Health continued to bear fruit, but that the Hinterland locations continue to remain the most vulnerable to the disease.
According to the ministry, within these regions, climatic and other conditions favour transmission that also occurs when people with low immunity move into the areas in search of jobs and are negligent in taking protective measures such as sleeping under mosquito nets and using insect repellents.
The health officials said that one of the VCS’ biggest interventions in 2013 has been the distribution of over 42,000 insecticide-treated nets for uses on beds and hammocks. The VCS said it intended to distribute 52,000 this year and would work with the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) in conducting a survey on the effectiveness of the net distribution.
There are three different types of malaria in Guyana — plasmodium falciparum, plasmodium vivax, and plasmodium malaria. More than 50 per cent of the malaria cases in the country are of the most serious form, plasmodium falciparum.
The government said it has been distributing free of charge, the very expensive anti-malarial drug, Coartem, recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and certified by PAHO.
“One of the major reasons why people die of falciparum malaria in Guyana is due to neglect. Persons using the Coartem tablet sometimes neglect to conform to the rules of use as instructed by their physician, in terms of dosage and period of treatment, with the result being a relapse and deterioration of the affected person’s health,” the Government Information News Agency (GINA) said.
It said that with proper treatment, symptoms of malaria usually go away quickly, with a cure within two weeks.
Symptoms of malaria include chills, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.(CMC News)
