A Nicaraguan Ship Carrying 93 Men Brings Three with Malaria

Do we ever think about malaria? Perhaps not as much as we should, although please note – Jamaica is malaria free. A Nicaraguan ship intercepted in Jamaican waters turned out to have three malaria sufferers on board.

This is not a question for the Health Ministry of course, but I am wondering why a ship with 93 men on board should be found near our island. Hmmm… Where is it now? Where was it heading?

Please see the Ministry of Health’s press release below:

November 8, 2018

Public Health Intervention on Vessel from Nicaragua

The Coast Guard on Tuesday, October 30, 2018, notified the Ministry of Health through the Port Health Team of a Vessel from Nicaragua that was intercepted in Jamaican waters, with several persons on board. On arrival at the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) Coast Guard Headquarters, there were 93 males on board the vessel.  They gave a history of having been at sea for four days.

The Kingston and St. Andrew Health Department executed the standard operating procedures for clinical/public health assessment and interventions.

After an initial assessment, two persons were diagnosed with malaria. A third was diagnosed on a subsequent assessment. These three persons were isolated and treated at the Kingston Public Hospital.

Vector control activities, including disinfection of the vessel, was conducted and are ongoing as per standard operating procedures. Of note, no Anopheles mosquito (the mosquito vector that transmits malaria) breeding sites were found in any of the locations the members of the crew accessed.

The Ministry of Health through the Kingston and St. Andrew Health Department will continue to monitor the situation and take the necessary action to protect the public.

Jamaica was returned to the Malaria free list in 2012 after an outbreak in 2006.  The last local case of malaria was in 2009. Since then we have continued to see cases of imported Malaria each year.  Jamaica has been able to maintain its Malaria free status through surveillance, early detection and rapid isolation and treatment of all cases.

We encourage the public to play their part in keeping Jamaica Malaria free by reporting to public health officials any unofficial entry of foreigners. The members of the public should ensure that they protect themselves before visiting countries that have ongoing Malaria transmission. For further information, persons may contact the Ministry of Health at 1-800-ONE LOVE.

Social unrest has been ongoing in Nicaragua for most of this year. In May, a State of Emergency was declared related to a malaria outbreak in a particular area of the country.

Contact: Stephen Davidson, Director of Public Relations & Communications, Ministry of Health: 876 770-4257