Published Date: 2011-08-26 10:59:12
Subject: PRO/EDR> Malaria, P. vivax - Greece (02): autochthonous, travel advice
Archive Number: 20110826.2597
MALARIA, PLASMODIUM VIVAX - GREECE (02): AUTOCHTHONOUS, TRAVEL ADVICE
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A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Wed 24 Aug 2011
Source: The Telegraph, UK [edited]
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/8720254/Travellers-to-Greece-given-malaria-warning.html
Travellers to Greece have been warned to take precautions against
mosquito bites following 6 reported cases of malaria since June
[2011].
None of the victims -- 5 Greek adults and a Roma child -- had any
history of travel to a country where the disease is commonplace.
The cases occurred in the Laconia region of the southern Peloponnesus
and on Euboea, a large island north of Athens. Greek authorities have
responded with enhanced surveillance of malaria in the 2 areas, and
intensified mosquito control programmes. Awareness has also been
raised among doctors and local residents.
Professor David Hill, director of the Health Protection Agency's
National Travel Health Network and Centre, said: "The risk to
holidaymakers of catching malaria while in Greece remains extremely
low, so there is no need to take anti-malarial medication when
visiting this country, but travellers should take measures to prevent
being bitten.
"We already advise people travelling to Greece to prevent insect bites
to protect against another mosquito-borne infection caused by West
Nile virus," he added. "This can cause a nervous system disease and
over 200 cases were reported in Greece last year [2010]. The recent
cases of malaria in Greece reinforce the importance of taking
precautions against being bitten while on holiday."
Holidaymakers returning from the affected areas who experience
symptoms of malaria -- which include fever, headache, and muscle pains
-- should seek immediate medical advice.
[Byline: Oliver Smith]
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail from HealthMap alerts
<promed@promedmail.org>
[We agree with the Health Protection Agency that the risk of malaria
in travellers is extremely low in Greece. If no further cases are
reported, the most likely explanation is still limited transmission by
local mosquitoes infected from asymptomatic gametocyte carriers
infected outside Greece.
This occurs frequently as illustrated by such cases reported by
ProMED-mail listed below. Except for Jamaica, these cases never
resulted in sustained local transmission.
A map of Greece showing the location of Laconia and Euboea (Evia) can
be seen at http://www.domatia65000.eu/images/greece_map.gif. The
HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Greece can be seen at
http://healthmap.org/r/19JI. - Mod.EP]
See Also
Malaria, P. vivax - Greece: (PW), autochthonous 20110821.25412010
----
Malaria, autochthonous - USA: (FL) 20101202.4333
Malaria - France: imported infected mosquitoes 20101114.4134
Malaria, P. vivax, autochthonous - Spain: (AR) 20101009.3671
Malaria, falciparum - Jamaica: (Kingston) 20100216.0545
2009
----
Malaria, autochthonous - Italy (03) 20091108.3863
Malaria, falciparum - Jamaica: (SC) RFI 20090315.1058
2008
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Malaria - Jamaica (02): St. Catherine, RFI 20080922.2992
Malaria, airport - France: (Paris) 20080901.2735
2007
----
Malaria - Jamaica (Kingston) (09) 20071024.3461
2006
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Malaria - Jamaica (Kingston)(03) 20061228.3640
Malaria, autochthonous - France (Corsica) 20061117.3286
Malaria - Bahamas (Exuma Islands)(02) 20060921.2698
2004
----
Malaria, risk of local transmission - USA (FL) 20040703.1782
2003
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Malaria, autochthonous - USA (FL) (04) 20030925.2427
2002
----
Malaria - United States (Virginia) 20020907.5250
Malaria, nosocomial infection - UK (02) 20020225.3630
Malaria, imported (airport?) - UK (England) 20020830.5185
2000
----
Malaria, vivax - Germany ex Greece 20000713.1158
1999
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Malaria, airport - Luxembourg 19990825.1485
1998
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Malaria - USA (Virginia) 19980802.1470
1997
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Airport malaria - Australia (03) 19970403.0694
Malaria, locally acquired - USA (Georgia) 19970329.0664
1995
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Airport malaria - Belgium 19951023.0971
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