Suriname is the first country in the Amazon region to have had no local cases of malaria since 2021. Although the country is surrounded by countries with high rates of malaria, there is no local transmission. Suriname was awarded on Friday by the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) for its successful approach to the deadly disease.
About twenty years ago, Suriname had tens of thousands of cases of locally transmitted malaria, now there are zero. The disease is still brought into the country by travelers, mainly from the neighboring countries Guyana, Brazil and French Guiana.
Positive effect
“A malaria-free Suriname is of great importance for the health and well-being of the local population,” says Marthelise Eersel, chair of the Malaria Elimination Task Force. Malaria can be fatal and is caused by the Plasmodium parasite, which is transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes.
The Dominican Republic, Belize, the Mexican state of Quintana Roo and the Brazilian city of Manaus were also named Malaria Champions of North and South America on Friday. With this appreciation, PAHO also recognizes the positive effect of the projects in those countries and cities on the health of their inhabitants. (AP)
2023-11-04 16:08:40
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