22 Apr 2024 | 05:05 PM UTC
Colombia: Elevated malaria activity reported in multiple areas in April
Elevated malaria activity reported in multiple areas in Colombia in April. Consider anti-malarial medications; avoid mosquito bites.
Health authorities have reported elevated malaria activity in multiple areas in Colombia, with 39,757 total cases reported Jan. 1-April 13. This is compared to the 19,859 cases reported over a similar period in 2023. Choco is the most affected department, followed by Antioquia, Córdoba, Risaralda, Nariño, Vaupés, Guainía, Buenaventura, and Cauca. This report represents the most complete data available as of April 22.
See a medical provider to discuss the need for anti-malarial medication before traveling to Colombia. Avoid mosquito bites and remove standing water to reduce the number of biting mosquitoes. Seek medical attention if symptoms develop within a month of being in affected areas; however, be sure to inform a healthcare provider of any travel to affected areas that occurred during the past 12 months.
The risk of malaria infection exists year-round nationwide in Colombia, except in the cities of Bogota, Cartagena, and Medellin. The risk of malaria is high in some municipalities of the departments of Antioquia, Bolívar, Cauca, Chocó, Córdoba, La Guajira, Nariño, and Risaralda. Risk is lower but also present in some municipalities of Amazonas, Caqueta, Guaviare, Guainía, Meta, Norte de Santander, Putumayo, Vaupes, and Vichada.
Malaria is transmitted through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito. The disease manifests because of the Plasmodium group of parasites. Six Plasmodium parasites infect humans, namely P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale curtisi, P. ovale wallikeri, P. malariae, and P. knowlesi. Symptoms of malaria most commonly include fever, chills, headaches and body aches, nausea and vomiting, and general malaise. Symptoms typically appear 7-30 days after being bitten; however, there are reports of symptoms beginning as late as one year.
