I could use your help RE malaria in Roatan & the other Bay Islands.

[DandyDon]

DocVikingo, my apologies for distracting from the focus of your thread. Since WVE is also a physician, I really wondered what he took that caused problems, and I greatly appreciate the replies from both of your doctors - but don't want to hijack your thread. I have posted a poll "Which Malaria Preventive Do You Use In Risk Areas: Mexico & Cent America" for other discussions.

BTW, you might get more information about malaria victims in the Bay Islands if you also asked in the Central America forum where more members would see it. Best wishes and thanks for all you contribute to Scubaboard!!

 

[DocVikingo]

DocV, ...The issue of actual risk seems to be key, and I thought this was what you might be driving at. That's why I mentioned that I had visited with two people who had never heard of any cases of malaria in the Bay Islands.

Hi wve,

Next time you see these two individuals, they might find the following informative. It's a brief sidebar article of mine that appeared in the Oct '05 issue of Undercurrent (http://www.undercurrent.org/) :

"Don’t Forget There’s Malaria Out There

If you are traveling to any tropical or subtropical country, you should check on the status of malaria. Parts of Mexico and Central America, South America, the Indian subcontinent, Asia, the Middle East, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands are presently reporting pockets of malaria risk.

In a recent Travelers’ Health warning from the Centers for Disease Control, we found continuing cautions of risk in rural areas and in Roatan and other Bay Islands. Travelers should be on a chloroquine regimen.

The caution is consistent with an article in the April 2005 Bay Islands Voice indicating that the disease is on the rise. In children under 5, there were 115 recorded cases at Roatan Hospital last year. According to Dr. Duarte of the Galindo Clinic in Roatan, “We saw a wave of malaria in January—up to two patients every day.”

Last year, neighboring Guanaja recorded the highest adult malaria rate in the region with 37 cases per 1,000 inhabitants; this was followed by Roatan.

In April, a Canadian diver on Roatan contracted malaria and this was reported upon within the SCUBA community.

What does this mean for the traveler to the Bay Islands? At this point, there clearly is malaria on Roatan, although there is no evidence that it is of epidemic proportion. Chances of exposure increase dramatically if one travels on mainland Honduras, or even changes planes there. So a diver would be wise to follow current CDC recommendations regarding antimalarial medications and take all routine steps to avoid exposure to mosquitoes.

For CDC guidelines on preventing malaria in your venue of travel, go the CDC Travelers’ Health Web site: Redirect: www.cdc.gov.

To check for last-minute info on malaria outbreaks, go the CDC Travel Notices Web site: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/notices.aspx. – Doc Vikingo"

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[wve]

At this point, there clearly is malaria on Roatan, although there is no evidence that it is of epidemic proportion. Chances of exposure increase dramatically if one travels on mainland Honduras, or even changes planes there. So a diver would be wise to follow current CDC recommendations regarding antimalarial medications and take all routine steps to avoid exposure to mosquitoes.

I agree. Since my last post, I have done some checking on my own, and I have reached the same conclusion. As of 2005, the incidence rate of malaria was on the rise.

One helpful report from the CDC involved US citizens who had contracted malaria elsewhere. Honduras was definitely on the list.

Through their fogging efforts, the dive resorts on the Bay Islands seem to be reducing the risk substantially, but that does not make the risk zero -- especially if one does some sight-seeing beyond the boundaries of those resorts.

 

[Divingdoc112]

I retreat to my experience with aviation medicine. Lariam is not allowed for use by pilots in the the cockpit for mentioned reasons. It should be avoided in SCUBA diving for the same reasons.

 

[DocVikingo]

I retreat to my experience with aviation medicine. Lariam is not allowed for use by pilots in the the cockpit for mentioned reasons. It should be avoided in SCUBA diving for the same reasons.

Please allow me to redirect you, Divingdoc112.

The question I asked was:

"Have you, or has anyone you know and can put me in direct contact with, ever contracted malaria in this location?"

It was not about malaria chemoprophylaxis in the Honduras.

I'm writing another article on the topic and would like to include a name and brief interview.

Thanks.

DocVikingo