Current Event

Outbreak notice

Malaria in Greece

By: Ivan Cukanić

Author of the Article: Center for Disease Control and     Prevention

Date Published: November, 24th, 2012

Source: Center for Disease Control

URL: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/outbreak-notice/malaria-greece-sept-2012.htm

Although it is considered as an officially eradicated disease in Greece from 1974. with only  sporadic cases of malaria connected only to travelers from Africa and Asia, there are, day by day,  new cases of this mosquito spread disease. Attica, Karditsa, Laconia, Viotia, and Xanthi are regions of Greece affected by this dangerous disease. The Hellenic Center of disease control and also European CDC take part in thorough monitoring of new cases and organize better mosquito control, but also public information and education about malaria. 

Malaria is parasite disease transferred from an infected to a healthy person by mosquito bite. In the early stages of the disease, symptoms of malaria are very similar to banal viral infections with fever and chills, but if left unrecognized, it can even be fatal. With almost 500 million cases and 1 million deaths per year worldwide, it is one of the largest health problems in the world. It is very common in undeveloped and developing world regions, often in swamp areas which favor mosquito reproduction and multiplication. Malaria is a quite common disease in many parts of Africa, Central and South America, Asia, South Pacific and Eastern Europe.  It is recommended for all travelers to Greece to use insect ( mosquito ) repellent on exposed skin, to wear protective clothing and to spend time indoor in mosquito protected places. In case of travelling to an agricultural region of Eurotas, CDC recommends taking medicine prescription for disease prevention.  It is of great importance to take all fevers seriously during and up to one year after travel and to seek professional medical help as soon as possible. Malaria is a completely curable disease in case of prompt and adequate treatment.

I liked this article because it warns people about diseases they forgot that even existed in some parts of the world. If not prepared, you can get malaria and if you don’t recognize it, it can even kill you. This connects to science because it involves mosquitoes, protozoa and diseases. I think this site is reliable because it has “.gov” in the URL.