No Evidence of Local Spread After Two Imported Malaria Cases, PM Says

Prime Minister Gaston Browne says there is no evidence of local malaria transmission in Antigua and Barbuda after the country recorded two imported cases, including one that resulted in a death.

Speaking on Pointe FM on Saturday, Browne said health officials had completed contact tracing and monitoring measures following the cases and had found no indication the disease had spread locally.

“We had two cases of malaria. These were imported, and one of the individuals unfortunately succumbed to his illness,” Browne said.

“Having done the contact tracing and so on, there’s no evidence that there’s been any spread,” he added.

The Prime Minister said the likelihood of wider transmission remains low because the mosquito species associated with malaria is not widespread in Antigua and Barbuda.

“We don’t have a lot of them here, so it’s very unlikely that there would be any spread through mosquitoes or any other vector,” Browne said.

The disclosure came as the government announced enhanced health surveillance measures amid growing concerns over Ebola outbreaks in parts of Central and East Africa.

Browne said Antigua and Barbuda has reactivated its Infectious Disease Centre as part of precautionary planning in case any travelers arriving in the country become ill.

“What we have done as well, we have reactivated the IDC — Infectious Disease Center,” Browne said. “If any of them were to take ill while they’re here, we can easily isolate them and of course do the necessary contact tracing.”

The Prime Minister defended the government’s decision to establish the Infectious Disease Centre during the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that critics had once described it as unnecessary.

“You’ll always have epidemics and pandemics,” Browne said. “Having an infectious disease center for those type of contagious diseases is very important and is a very important part of the health infrastructure of the country.”

Officials have also reinstated enhanced airport health screening measures, including the use of infrared thermal scanners, as authorities monitor developments overseas.

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