50% drop in malaria - Ramsammy Region Seven still hard-hit

http://www.stabroeknews.com/index.pl/article?id=56526529

50% drop in malaria - Ramsammy
Region Seven still hard-hit
Stabroek News
Saturday, August 11th 2007

Guyana has recorded a fifty percent drop in malaria cases with
significant reductions in many hard-hit areas but Region Seven still
poses a serious challenge, according to a half-year report released
yesterday.

A total of 6,321 cases were recorded up to July month end. Last year
for the same period the figure was 12,731. Minister of Health, Dr.
Leslie Ramsammy credits the reduction to a successful Long Lasting
Impregnated Bednets (LLNS) programme and greater private sector
cooperation among other things.

The health sector set a target of bringing down the number of recorded
cases from 22,000 last year to 15,000 this year and according to the
Minister, they are well on track to have figures under the target.

Region Eight had the most reductions so far with some 532 cases
compared to 2600 for the same period last year. Region Nine had 529
this year and 1977 last year; Region One had 879 while the figure was
2300 last year. Region Seven had 1507 this year and 2600 last year.

Ramsammy told reporters yesterday that Region Eight previously posed
the most challenges since it was difficult to control the vector
population but that has since changed and Region Seven has emerged as
the area with the most difficulties. However he said they are working
on bringing down the numbers significantly in the region.

In addition to the recorded figures in the regions the ministry is
monitoring several communities very closely that have ideal conditions
for mosquito breeding - these include Port Kaituma and Matthews Ridge.

Meanwhile the Minister noted that dengue is another area being closely
monitored since new infections continue to be recorded.

He said the country had an imported case of hemorrhagic dengue, which
is a severe and potentially deadly infection spread by certain
mosquitoes, earlier this year and was able to effectively manage it.

Ramsammy would not reveal which country the infected person came from
but pointed out that surveillance has intensified. He said they
continue to monitor people coming in closely.

According to him, hemorrhagic dengue cases if recorded locally would
have to be isolated and treated so as to decrease the risk of mass
infections.