NewsDesk @bactiman63

Health officials in Costa Rica are reporting an outbreak of malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum in Limón province on the east coast of the country.

Image/CDC

As of April 7, 2023, the Ministry of Health, through the Health Surveillance Directorate, reports a total of 60 cases of falciparum malaria– 35 patients male and 25 female.

As indicated by Dr. Rodrigo Marín, director of Health Surveillance, of the reported cases, 26 correspond to the canton of Limón, 32 to Pococí, one case to Matina and one to Siquirres, it is important to note that 75% of the cases were reported during the last two epidemiological weeks.

After the investigations carried out in the field for the attention of this event, it is not possible to identify that the cases are imported so it must be considered that the vector is present in these communities, therefore, the population is called to that they also take measures such as using repellent, putting up mosquito nets and covering their skin.

Malaria is a disease caused by a parasite of the genus Plasmodium and transmitted to people mainly by the bite of a female mosquito of the genus Anopheles and has been present in the country with endemic characteristics since the 18th century, reestablishing transmission in extensive regions of the Caribbean slope and dispersing to other areas of the country.

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Health authorities carry out sweeping house-to-house visits to detect people with symptoms, take blood samples, supply medicines to suspicious people, deliver awnings, and fumigate areas near the home.

The symptoms of this disease are: chills, abdominal pain, fatigue, fever, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, headache, rapid breathing, accelerated heart rate, cough and muscle pain. It is important to go to the medical center for timely assessment in case of exhibit these symptoms.