By JIMENITA SWAIN

and JASMIN BONIMY

Guardian Staff Reporters

Americans travelling to Great Exuma will be advised by the Centres for Disease Control in the United States to take preventative treatments in light of the recent malaria outbreak.

The disclosure was made last night by the Ministry of Health during one of their daily updates. So far, therehave been 16 confirmed cases of malaria.

Since the initial case of malaria came to the forefront a week ago, the Ministry of Health has also been in communication with the Pan American Health (PAHO) in Washington and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta. Both organisations have provided support for surveillance efforts to local health officials. "While they have agreed not to issue a travel alert for The Bahamas, the CDC intends to advise Americans coming to Great Exuma to take prophylactic choroquine as a preventative measure," the release revealed.

In addition, the Ministry revealed that on June 10 several illegal immigrants were apprehended in Exuma and subsequently detained at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre. One of those detainees who had been living in Exuma for the past three months is believed to have been infected with malaria on that island. As a result, all incoming apprehended detainees, as well as staff at the centre will be screened for malaria.

Health officials also made it clear that the reported cases are not considered to be an epidemic. Of those affected, five patients have been released from hospital having completed their treatment. "They were treated with choroquine to which they all responded favourably," the Ministry reported. Those patients are reportedly in good health and will be followed up by the Princess Margaret Hospital over the next few weeks to ensure that a relapse does not occur.

As regards "erroneous reports which alleged that anti-mosquito fogging was not taking place in Exuma," the Ministry said that assertion was not correct. Since May 30 a team from the Department of Environmental Health has been carrying out daily fogging activities. Areas on the island of Exuma that have been fogged include the airport, Ramsey, Mt Thompson, Forest, Farmer's Hill, Moss Town, Barreterre, Stuart Manor, Steventon, Hermitage, Hooper's Bay, George Town, William's Town, Hartswell, Forbes Hills, Rolle Town, Jolly Hall, and Bahama Sound 18. The Ministry said the fogging takes place at night from about 10 p.m. It was noted that the chemical used is pyrethrum, which has a slight odour.

In addition, the Ministry is awaiting reports from the reading of 200 slides taken from persons residing or working in Exuma. On Wednesday evening, Shree Babboolal arrived from CAREC (Caribbean Epidemiology Centre) to assist in the reading of the slides. "Her review has confirmed the diagnosis made so far," the Ministry stated.

The surveillance teams in Exuma are also continuing to make steady progress in Exuma. There have been no increase in the larvae or mosquito counts on that island, health officials stated.

The public is advised to discard collections of unused or stagnant water, in addition to covering exposed body parts at night. The use of repellant is also strongly advised.

As efforts to treat and prevent further transmission continue, anyone with fever, chills, aches and pains are advised to seek medical attention.

It should be noted that malaria is not endemic to The Bahamas and is considered an 'imported' disease, transmitted by the bite of a female anopheles mosquito.

Malaria is endemic to the countries of Guyana, Suriname, Belize, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic.