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Malaria risk may be increasing in Haiti
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Eleven laboratory-confirmed cases of Plasmodium falciparum malaria have been confirmed in Haiti following the earthquake, according to data published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Seven of the people who have been confirmed ill are emergency responders from the United States; six of these people are military personnel. Three Haitian nationals and one U.S. traveler also became ill.
Oral chemoprophylaxis with doxycycline and personal protective equipment — including insect repellent and insecticide-treated netting and uniforms — had been provided to the military personnel and oral chemoprophylaxis had been recommended to the U.S. traveler. However, six of the eight U.S. patients reportedly did not adhere to the recommended prophylactic regimen. Adherence status for the other two U.S. nationals was not reported.
Three cases occurred in Haitian residents who traveled to the United States, including one Haitian adoptee, according to findings in the report. The number of malaria cases imported from Haiti to the United States may be underestimated because of incomplete reporting to the CDC.
Four of the patients had uncomplicated symptoms and were treated locally in Haiti. The other two were moderately to seriously ill and were transferred to the United States for intensive care. One of those patients required intubation and mechanical ventilation to treat acute respiratory distress syndrome. There are no fatalities expected, and all of the patients are expected to recover fully, researchers from the Pan American Health Organization reported.
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