Update on Malaria Outbreak in Kingston, Jamaica

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that an outbreak of malaria in Kingston, Jamaica is still ongoing. First reported in December 2006, the malaria outbreak is unusual in Jamaica, which has responded by spraying for mosquitos and increased education of the local population.

Since December, CDC has been recommending that travelers planning to stay overnight in Kingston (but not to other Jamaica destinations) take antimalarial drugs like chloroquine before they depart for the island. Use of DEET-based insect repellant also is recommended. For more information, see the May 17 warning on the CDC website.

For more information on staying healthy in the Caribbean, see my new article on Caribbean Travel Health Information, which provides links to all of the CDC health advisories on the Caribbean.