Malaria, no threat to Sri Lanka

by Carol Aloysius

Indigenous transmission of malaria is no longer a threat in Sri Lanka, judging by recent statistics from the Anti Malaria Campaign. Last year, the number of cases hit a new low of 23-the lowest since 1963, and no new cases have been reported this year so far. Nor were there any deaths reported for the past five years.However, the main danger regarding the disease now is travellers visiting malaria endemic countries such as Papua New Guinea and African nations, who get infected with the parasite and pass it to others when the same malarial mosquito that bites them bites another, Director, Anti Malaria Campaign Dr S.L. Deniyage told the Sunday Observer.

He said several drugs for different countries were available free to all travellers, to take prior to a visit to a malaria endemic country such as Papua New Guinea and Africa.

"They are available at the airport and at our head office at Narahenpita.

All travellers from Sri Lanka to a malaria endemic country must ask for them ahead of as well as while visiting those countries", he said.