Malaria in Kingston, Jamaica: Recommendations for Travelers
This information is current as of today,
Sunday, May 27, 2007 11:38 AM

The outbreak of malaria in Kingston, Jamaica, that was first reported in December 2006 is ongoing. The date of onset of illness for the most recently reported case was April 19, 2007. All confirmed infections in connection with this outbreak have been caused by Plasmodium falciparum.

Jamaica is a country where malaria is not considered endemic and malaria transmission does not normally occur; therefore Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has not previously recommended antimalarial prophylactic drugs for U.S. travelers.The Ministry of Health in Jamaica has responded with heightened surveillance for malaria cases, mosquito control measures (larviciding and spraying), and education of the local population. The Caribbean Epidemiology Center (CAREC), the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization, and CDC are assisting the Ministry of Health with these response measures.

Antimalarial Medication

Since December 4, 2006, CDC has recommended prophylactic (preventive) antimalarial medication for travelers who stay overnight in Kingston, Jamaica, only. Travelers to other areas of the island do not need to take an antimalarial drug. This recommendation is expected to be temporary. Travelers should periodically check the CDC Travelers' Health website for updates.

Chloroquine, which is the recommended antimalarial chemoprophylaxis drug for Jamaica, has a long history of use and safety and is well tolerated by most people, including children. People with an allergy to chloroquine should discuss an alternative antimalarial drug with their health-care provider. To learn more about chloroquine, including dosing information, see Information for the Public: Prescription Drugs for Malaria.

Other Prevention Measures

Because no antimalarial drugs is 100% protective, travelers to Jamaica should take precautions to protect against mosquito bites.

• Use insect repellent on exposed skin surfaces when outdoors, particularly from dusk to dawn. Repellents containing 30%-50% DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide) are recommended. Lower concentrations of DEET offer shorter-term protection, requiring more frequent reapplication.

• To learn more about preventing mosquito bites and the appropriate use of insect repellents, visit Protection Against Mosquitoes and Other Arthropods in Health Information for International Travel and What You Need to Know about Mosquito Repellent.

Malaria caused by P. falciparum may rapidly result in severe, life-threatening illness if not promptly treated. If you have traveled to Kingston, Jamaica, and you become ill with fever and other flu-like symptoms, you should immediately seek professional medical care and inform your health-care provider that you have visited an area currently experiencing a malaria outbreak.

Visit CDC’s Travelers’ Health website for Health information for Travelers to Countries in the Caribbean.

Additional information about malaria can be found at the CDC Malaria homepage.

Health-care providers needing assistance with diagnosis or management of suspected cases of malaria should call the CDC Malaria Hotline: 770-488-7788 (M-F, 8 am-4:30 pm, Eastern Time). For consultation after hours, call 770-488-7100 and ask to speak with a CDC Malaria Branch clinician.