SL to eliminate malaria by 2014

Main threat posed from persons travelling abroad:

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

Sri Lanka will eliminate malaria by 2014 in keeping with the Mahinda Chinthanaya policy. No malaria deaths were reported in 2010, 2009 and only one death was reported in 2008 and 2007, a Health Ministry spokesman said.

Sixty four malaria patients have been reported in 2012 and 44 of them were immigrants, he said.

'Only 20 patients had been reported from within the country, "a Health Ministry spokesman said.

"According to the spokesman, 176 Malaria patients were reported from Sri Lanka in 2011 and 124 of them were immigrants while only 52 were reported from within the country. The main threat posed to Sri Lanka is from persons travelling abroad," he said. "Non-immune travellers from Malaria-free areas are vulnerable to the disease when they get infected," he said.

The main threat posed to Sri Lanka is from persons coming from India (Tamil Nadu), Liberia, Haiti, Pakistan, South Africa, Rwanda, Uganda, Nigeria and Sudan. People travelling to those countries can obtain the relevant tablets (free of charge) from the AMC Headquarters, Public Health Complex, 5/555, Elvitigala Mawata, Colombo 5.

"Of the four types of Malaria affecting humans, only two are found in Sri Lanka. Malaria is an acute febrile illness. Symptoms include, fever, headache,and vomiting which usually occur 10 and 15 days (after seven days or more) after the mosquito bite.

The first symptoms of fever, headache, chills and vomiting may be mild and difficult to recognize as Malaria.

A person can get Malaria even without showing all the symptoms. If not treated, Malaria can quickly become life-threatening by disrupting the blood supply to vital organs.