Internationally acquired malaria case confirmed in Lakeland

A case of malaria has been confirmed in a Far North community, with medical professionals urging residents to take caution.

Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service Acting Public Health Medical Officer confirmed one case of malaria had been identified in Lakeland, near Cooktown. Picture: Supplied

A case of malaria has been confirmed in Cape York, with medical professionals urging residents to take caution.

Cape York and Torres Strait residents have been urged to protect themselves against mosquito bites after a case of malaria was confirmed in Lakeland, 250km north of Cairns.

Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service acting public health medical officer Dr Richard Gair confirmed the case had been acquired overseas and was being “managed appropriately”.

“No further details can be provided due to confidentiality,” he said.

“The community should be aware that malaria is treatable and there is no cause for community alarm.”

Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease and is not transmitted directly from person to person.

It is spread to people via the bite of particular types of mosquitoes.

Mr Gair said mosquito spraying and control measures were undertaken in the Lakeland area.

He urged Lakeland residents to be on alert for malaria symptoms and take measures to prevent being bitten by mosquitoes.

“The very best protection against mosquito-borne diseases of any kind is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes in the first place,” he said.

“The most common symptoms of malaria are high fever, headache, backache, nausea, vomiting, and muscle and joint pains.”

If anyone exhibits any of these symptoms, Mr Gair encouraged people to seek advice and support from a healthcare professional or private GP at Cooktown or Mareeba or attend the Cooktown Multipurpose Health Service.

“Early malaria can usually be easily treated whereas late, severe, or complicated malaria can be a life- threatening medical emergency,” he said.

“Several effective drugs are available for treating malaria.”

It comes 18 months after two separate malaria alerts were issued for Cape York and the Torres Strait in which four total cases were recorded.

Last month, Tropical Public Health Services Cairns confirmed five cases of dengue fever in the Cairns region, all imported from people travelling from Bali.

Originally published as Internationally acquired malaria case confirmed in Lakeland