- What is Malaria?
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Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes. Malaria is not endemic to Trinidad so the disease is brought here by persons travelling from countries endemic for Malaria, either visitors or returning residents.
- What are the symptoms of Malaria?
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The main symptoms of Malaria infection are fever, chills, sweating, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, abdominal pain and vomiting.
- What to do if experiencing these symptoms?
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If you have recently travelled or have been interacting with someone who has travelled from a Malaria endemic area, then report to your nearest health center if you get these symptoms.
- What are some countries where Malaria is endemic that travelers to Trinidad might come from?
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Venezuela, Guyana, and countries in Africa are the common sources of Malaria for travellers coming to Trinidad.
- Is Malaria treatable?
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Yes, Malaria is treatable and the medication used is very effective at getting rid of the parasite and reducing the symptoms of the disease. This medication is available in Trinidad and Tobago and is readily provided by the Ministry of Health to treat all Malaria cases.
- Which mosquito transmits the Malaria parasite?
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Malaria is transmitted by the Anopheles Mosquito whose breeding ground is found mostly in marshy water, the banks of shallow creeks and streams and dirty stagnant water in receptacles in our environments.
The Anopheles mosquito usually bite in the evening or at night.
- How to protect yourself and loved ones from mosquito bites?
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Use insect repellents.
Wear loose-fitting long-sleeved shirts and long pants, especially if you are going outside during the peak biting times of the mosquito.
Sleep under a mosquito net.
Eliminate the common breeding sites of the mosquito: remember the mosquito breeds in stagnant water, so properly discard used tires and other containers, clean drains and keep them from clogging, keep grass and vegetation trimmed.
