With the arrival of the rainy season, the year’s first cases of malaria have begun to appear in Praia. Last week, at least five individuals were admitted to Agostinho Neto Hospital with malaria, with one death having been registered so far, of cerebral malaria. The Praia Health Department Delegation is advising the population to take preventative measures to avoid mosquito bites.

The five patients in Praia identified as having malaria live in different neighborhoods of the city - Plateau, Várzea, Castelão and Fonton. The Health Department delegation is working closely with the residents of these neighborhoods, going door to door and providing information. The first confirmed case of the disease appeared last Wednesday, some two days after the first rains fell on the capital city.

According to Dr. Arcelinda Barreto, the director of Agostinho Neto Hospital, a Health Department delegation employee is on permanent call at the hospital, identifying patients and the area of the city in which they live to coordinate the mosquito eradication program. The hospital has renewed its stock of medicine and is prepared to treat malaria. Even so, Barreto advises the population to take preventative measures, “and not wait for the Health Department delegation to do all the work.”

Among the measures that should be taken is avoiding the accumulation of standing water near homes. “The population can put gasoil, petrol or burnt cooking oil in puddles of water. People should avoid water-filled vases, spray insecticide in the house and put screens on their windows,” says Barreto. Cisterns should also be carefully inspected.

Most malaria infections occur in the early morning hours or at dusk, times during which people should take particular care, using mosquito repellent and wearing clothes that cover arms and legs. People should immediately go to the hospital at the first signs of fever, shivering or muscle pain.

Last year, a total of some 100 cases of malaria were registered on the island of Santiago. According to Barreto, these figures are not expected to increase this year, except in the municipality of Santa Cruz near the newly-constructed Poilão dam.