By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
Specialists with Social Security confirmed 19 cases
of malaria in the Northern Zone* on the border
with Nicaragua.
"In this year, we treated 19 patients with this
disease that if not treated in time causes severe
infections and even death," said the institution's
statement.
Social Security has increased surveillance actions
in the Northern Zone, with the aim of detecting
people with malaria and preventing the spread of
this disease that seems more prevalent in that
region of the country.
Doctor Catalina Ramírez, epidemiologist for Social
Security, “the alert has been activated in the area
to address the situation that has emerged since 2016
and that keeps it in constant caution. But there is
an outbreak of malaria and part of the problem is
the entry into the national territory of infected
people."
Surveillance has been reinforced along the 140
kilometers of border with Nicaragua, and doctors
serving the population there have been notified of
the problem.
In addition, fifty-seven of the clinics in the area
activated the malaria detection protocol for each
person with high fever and sweating.
Specialists call on all people who travel to or live
in the area and any who have symptoms related to
this disease, to go immediately at Social Security
clinics, known as Ebais, to do the proper
examination and to rule out or confirm the disease.
"With medications, we cut the chain of disease
transmission that can spread malaria and we ask all
people who have fever, sweating, chills, body aches
and nausea to approach the nearest health center for
prompt and timely care," said Dr. Anchia
Dr. Edgar Carrillo, director of the San Carlos Hospital*, said,
"at this moment we are on high alert at the level of
the medical, nursing and technical team to treat
affected patients."
Malaria is a serious disease caused by a parasite
which is transmitted by the Anopheles mosquito. If
the infected mosquito bites a person, the parasite,
Plasmodium (vivax or falciparum) enters the
bloodstream and reaches the liver. Symptoms include
chills, flu-like symptoms, fever, vomiting,
diarrhea, and jaundice. It is a major cause of death
worldwide, but it is almost wiped out in Costa Rica.
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A.M. Costa Rica wire services photo
Malaria is a serious
disease caused by a parasite which is transmitted by
the Anopheles mosquito.
The last outbreak of malaria in Costa Rica occurred
in 2006. Since 2016, malaria cases have been
reported by people who contracted the disease in
Nicaragua.
Prevention of the parasite includes cleaning up the
stagnant water where the Anopheles mosquito breeds.
If you live or have recently traveled to the North
Zone of the country and you are presenting symptoms
of high fever, it is recommended that you go to the
nearest social security clinic, or to a private
clinic and request the blood test to discard or
confirm the disease.
The telephone number of the Social Security clinics
in the country can be accessed in the telephone directory online at this
link*.
The staff of AM Costa Rica calls on readers to share
this information with contacts, especially with
people who are visiting or living in the North Zone
of the country.
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*Link to reach the
place on map.
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