The French Press Agency reports that Canadian government officials have announced that anyone having visited the Dominican Republic cannot donate blood in Canada for six months after their return, for fear of contaminating the blood supply with malaria. At least eight Canadians have been infected with the tropical disease that is carried by the mosquito, one of whom is seriously ill in a Toronto hospital, although is expected to recover. Some 415,000 Canadians visited the Dominican Republic in 2003.
The area of Punta Cana has been particularly affected by the illness. Locally, however, El Caribe newspaper reports that the hotel association says there has been “no increase in the number of cases” of malaria. Arturo Villanueva told reporters that there has been a significant reduction in the number of cases and the controls are working.” According to sources in public health, there have been at least 150 cases of malaria in the eastern region of the country this year. Overall, DR1 News reported that the DR’s Ministry of Public Health confirmed 2,021 cases in the country so far this year.
Malaria is a serious condition that is sometimes fatal, but largely preventable. Its first symptoms include high fever, headache and flu-like chills, and should be treated promptly. The World Health Organization says that 300-500 million cases of malaria occur worldwide every year, of which one million are fatal.