This article is from page 9 of the 2006-06-20 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 9 JPG
THE largest increase in malaria cases in the country has been reported in Munster with cases of the deadly disease doubling in a year.
Between 2004 and 2005, recorded cases of the condition increased by 60 per cent, countrywide. But, in Munster, the increase exceeded 100 per cent.
Last year, eleven cases were recorded in Munster, leading the Medical Director of the Tropical Medical Bureau Ireland, Dr Graham Fry, to express concern at the prevalence of the disease, in the region.
The travel medicine expert said, “already in the first 20 weeks of this year, there have been 36 cases of malaria notified nationally. Based on current trends, this is likely to climb to 100 cases or more this year.”
In addition, 75 per cent of travellers leaving Ireland to countries with a known malaria risk had not packed malaria tablets.
“It is worrying that so many travellers visiting malaria areas are either ignorant of the risks, or are content to put their lives in danger,” he said.
A survey conducted among those travelling from Dublin Airport to malaria areas also found that among the reasons given for not taking tablets were that respondents did not see the need to take tablets when there was nothing wrong with them.