Falciparum malaria treated with a chloroquine suspension administered rectally in Trinidad

A new mode of administering malaria chemotherapy to patients unable to tolerate oral medication is described. A patient with Plasmodium falciparum malaria, severe hyponatraemia and hypokalaemia who regurgitated oral treatment of chloroquine phosphate and pyrimethamine and sulfadoxine (Fansidar) is presented. But neither chloroquine nor quinine intravenous formulations were available locally. As the patient was deteriorating, a suspension of chloroquine phosphate was prepared and administered rectally, resulting in a decline in the level of parasitaemia from ++++ to ++ within 48 hours. The patient improved, and further clinical management was uncomplicated.

Vector control operations during a sylvatic yellow fever outbreak in Trinidad,1978-1980

An outline is given of the vector control measures adopted during the 1978-1980 yellow fever epidemic in Trinidad and the efficacy of the yellow fever plan of action is discussed.

Sylvatic yellow fever activity in Trinidad 1988-1989

Of a total of 18,068 mosquitoes (361 pools) collected in south-eastern Trinidad forests from December, 1988 to May, 1989, 47 species belonging to 14 genera were identified. Five yellow fever virus isolates were made from Haemagogus janthinomys and one from Sabethes chloropterus. All the other pools of mosquitoes examined were negative for the virus. The mosquito isolates were made in December and January. In addition, in late February and early March, two infected howler monkeys (Alouatta sp.) were detected. Since March, despite continued surveillance, no yellow fever virus has been detected in mosquitoes or monkeys. There has been no reported human infection.

Emergency vector control of urban vectors during an epizootic of yellow fever in Trinidad: 1988-1989

Sylvatic yellow fever outbreaks in Trinidad have been known to occur since the 17th century. During 1988-89 an outbreak of yellow fever occurred with the virus being isolated from monkeys and mosquitoes. This article summarizes the vector control operations adopted to prevent urban transmission of the yellow fever virus by Aedes aegypti Linn. No human cases of yellow fever were detected either in the rural or urban areas.