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Health officials are reporting a malaria outbreak on the Pacific coast of Cauca Province, Colombia. The outbreak has affected 322 people in the rural areas of Guapi and Timbiqui: (the towns of Calle larga, Belen, San Agustin, Pascualero, and Cascajero (in Guapi) and in the mining area of Santa Maria, Chacon Playa, and Coteje (in Timbiqui). According to the report an outbreak is highly unusual in the area and mining is mentioned as a likely explanation. The outbreak area is currently classified as low to no risk for malaria on the Travax malaria map on the Colombia page. Mosquito bite avoidance remains the mainstay of prevention and malaria chemoprophylxis is not required for most travellers to this region.
However due to reporting of cases in Cauca Province malaria chemoprophylaxis may be considered for certain higher risk groups of traveller at this time, including:
• young children
• elderly people
• those without a spleen
• those who are immunosuppressed or immunocompromised
• travellers with significant co-morbidity
• those with extended travel into rural areas
• those visiting friends and relatives.
In all cases, visitors to malarious countries should seek prompt medical advice if they develop fever during travel or on their return and be made aware of the need for strict mosquito bite avoidance measures.
Further information will be posted on Travax as and when it becomes available.
