Greece: Malaria detected ?

[Gert van der Hoek]

Snip from an article on the current West Nile Virus outbreak in Greece:

machinetranslated

Thursday, August 26, 2010

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The DIKNI (Democratic Movement of Clinicians) Thessaloniki complains that within 10 months the government disrupted the excellent system to protect citizens from biological threats, the dowry of the Olympic Games, who repeatedly took credit for the EU.

He complains that:

- Sooner or later the disease (West Nile Virus, ed) will be transferred to the South

- Ministers have prevented the insecticide at the same volume last year, resulting in nine deaths and the consequences that reach the paralysis in people affected by encephalitis

- Omits to mention that eight cases of malaria [were] identified in the Peloponnese.

http://www.enet.gr/?i=news.el.ellada&id=196481

See also this ProMED report : Malaria in Albania, ex-Greece.


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[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Greece: Malaria detected ?

Apparently not very long ago, locally acquired malaria was found in Greece: 4 cases and later another 7 cases.
Untill now the risk for infection seems to be incidental.

Note: Evros province is bordering Turkey and Bulgaria.


Individual cases of autochthonous malaria in Evros Province, northern Greece: serological aspects.

Abstract

From 1994 to 1995 four presumably autochthonous malaria cases were diagnosed by blood smear microscopy in Evros Province, northern Greece. Alarmed by these unexpected infections a serological survey was performed from 1997 to 1999 in ten rural villages, including those where the malaria cases had occurred.

Among the 1,102 blood samples examined, nine turned out to contain specific antibodies against plasmodial parasites as detected by indirect fluorescent antibody test, including two of the former patients. The remaining seven samples were taken from healthy individuals with no history of recent infection or of having travelled to endemic areas.

A further 21 sera showed borderline reactivity with Plasmodium falciparum antigen. Although no retrospective examination of the blood specimens could be performed to confirm the serological results by direct parasite detection, we can conclude that at least the seropositive persons have actually undergone infection with malaria parasites but developed no or only mild clinical symptoms which went unnoticed.

It is becoming obvious that even in European countries where climatic and vector conditions are favourable for the development of the parasite there is a potential risk of incidental malaria transmission by indigenous Anopheles mosquitoes.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11954913

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Greece: Malaria detected ?

Anaerobe. 2011 Jun 2. [Epub ahead of print]

Climate changes, environment and infection: Facts, scenarios and growing awareness from the public health community within Europe


- snip -

A recently reported case of malaria in Italy in June 2008, suspected to be indigenously acquired, has shown how easily malaria could be reintroduced into several countries in the region. Another case of malaria in Greece in May 2010 affecting a young man living in a forestry region was claimed at KEELPNO-the Greek Center for disease control. Would this latest case be considered closely related to the one from Italy? If yes, then Public Health Services should elaborate plans to affront possible tickborne diseases.

PubMed

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Greece: Malaria detected ?

machinetranslation

Publication Date : 07/01/11

Need to take measures against malaria in Laconia

Iphigenia Diamantis

No action has been made in terms of state to address cases of malaria for the third consecutive year occur in the area of Skala, Laconia, despite repeated harassment by local authorities were informed by letter the Prime Minister in 2009, but on questioning the MP South Thanasis D. Davaki the House, last December. The most recent outbreak of infectious disease was detected in a young person in the middle of last May. (May 2010,ed)

Although Greece was declared free malaria by the World Health Organization in 1973, however, the current movement of populations from countries where the disease is endemic back to the fore the need for action. In the region of the Delta Eurotas about 2,500 foreigners working in rural cultures, coming from Pakistan and Afghanistan while there are many reeds, drainage channels, stagnant water rushes to the wetland Vivari, estimated that it will help to breed mosquitoes in plain. "Over the last five years, migrants working in appalling conditions on crops," explains the "K" the mayor Eurotas Mr. Grypiotis, proposed transfer of immigrant reception centers to provide adequate sanitation.

In the meantime, "I proceeded to clean the areas with stagnant water, drainage pipelines, abandoned buildings, drainage channels, river banks and beds of streams and ditches, and disinfection of stormwater pipes in the communities Scala Vlachioti and State." Proposed spraying, pronymfoktonia the wetland of Lake Vivari and implement a comprehensive plan to combat mosquitoes, with an estimated cost of up to 100,000 euros.

In the first outbreak three years ago, the local authority had informed the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention and the National School of Public Health, but the proposed actions, such as administration of medication, blood tests and injections, did not "because as a region we had not declared a state of emergency ", says Mr. Grypiotis.

Awaiting response is their proposal for a temporary transfer of 250 Gypsy camp at Camp KEEM, if earlier proposal for allocation of forest land was not adopted by the Ministry of Rural Development. The proposals include the reopening of former Centre County mosquito control.

Kathimerini

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Greece: Malaria detected ?

City Council Meeting Euro - Information on malaria

elladatv.gr Date: 15/06/2011

Met yesterday the City Council Eurotas. At the beginning of the meeting the Mayor made Grypiotis information about the problem of malaria has occurred, and then referred to other health issues such as the rumored deterioration of the health center Vlachioti, who find opposite the Municipal Authority.

Greece TV