In a follow-up on the locally transmitted malaria increases reported on Cabo Verde this year, 254 indigenous cases were reported through Sep. 24.

Image/CDC
Image/CDC

Most cases (75%) have not sought treatment until 48-96 hours after illness onset. Despite this, case fatality rates have remained low (0.4%), with one death reported in an indigenous case to date. Seven severe malaria cases and two cases of malaria in pregnancy have been reported. There are also anecdotal reports of recrudescence.

To date, the disease has been localized to the city of Praia on Santiago Island without any further spread.

A handful of cases have also been detected on neighboring islands (São Vicente, Sal and Porto Novo); however, their infections were likely all acquired during travel to Praia or overseas, with no evidence of onward local transmission.

The malaria epidemic in Cabo Verde has begun to show early signs of improvement but the situation remains tenuous, with heavy rainfall continuing between August and October, health officials said.

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