RESUMO
In 2006, after 44 years of eradication of malaria, Jamaica had an outbreak of Plasmodium falciparum: 406 confirmed cases between September 2006 and December 2009 with a peak of the epidemic in December 2006. In response to the outbreak, the Ministry of Health launched an emergency response through early detection and prompt treatment of cases, vector control, public education and intersectoral collaboration. Ninety percent (361) of cases were residents of Kingston, and 63.6% were identified through house to house surveillance visits. For 56% of the confirmed cases, treatment with chloroquine was initiated within a week of onset of symptoms. Only one (0.3%) of 358 cases who had a post-treatment smear on day 7 had a persistent asexual parasitaemia, while none of the 149 persons who had a follow-up smear on day 28 was positive. The outbreak highlighted the need for increased institutional capacity for surveillance, confirmation and treatment of malaria as well as effective prevention and control of outbreaks which can occur after elimination. Jamaica appears to have successfully eliminated malaria after its reintroduction.
Assuntos
Malária Falciparum/epidemiologia , Adolescente , Adulto , Distribuição por Idade , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Animais , Anopheles , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Surtos de Doenças , Diagnóstico Precoce , Feminino , Educação em Saúde/métodos , Humanos , Lactente , Insetos Vetores , Jamaica/epidemiologia , Malária Falciparum/diagnóstico , Malária Falciparum/terapia , Malária Falciparum/transmissão , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Controle de Mosquitos/métodos , Vigilância da População , Distribuição por Sexo , Adulto JovemRESUMO
The incidence and prevalence rates of leprosy in Jamaica during the period 1982-1992 were compared and the levels of the knowledge, attitudes and practices of both health workers and leprosy patients towards leprosy and the leprosy programme were determined. Statistical data were collected through the examination of records and the administration of questionnaires. A sample of 188 health workers and 30 leprosy patients were chosen from the South East Health Region. The incidence and prevalence rates have remained relatively low, averaging 0.029/10,000 and 0.69/10,000 respectively. Since the beginning of the period (1982), Jamaica has, by WHO standards, attained the status of elimination of leprosy (prevalence of less than 1 case per 10,000 population). The knowledge, attitudes and practices of both health workers and patients have improved when compared with previous studies (Raglan, 1976; Ministry of Health, 1985-1988).(AU)
