In the first quarter of this year, Roraima saw a significant 23% reduction in malaria cases compared to the same period last year. According to data from the Malaria Control Center (NCM), 7,687 cases of the disease were recorded in 2024, compared to 10,026 cases in 2023.
Gerson Castro, manager of the NCM at Sesau (Secretary of Health), highlighted that this reduction is more pronounced in the Yanomami Land and in mining areas, where cases decreased by almost 80% compared to the previous year.
Known to be an acute febrile infectious disease, malaria is transmitted through the bite of a female mosquito of the genus Anopheles darlingiinfected by one or more species of protozoa of the genus Plasmodium.
In 2023, according to the Center, the State recorded 34,555 cases of the disease, higher than the 26,312 cases recorded in 2022. The increase was mainly caused by illegal mining activity in the Yanomami Indigenous Land.
“Among the Yanomami indigenous people, in the first quarter of 2023 we had approximately 101% cases, in the first quarter of 2024 the rate reduced to 21%, a positive point for the work carried out by the Dsei teams [Distrito Sanitário Especial Indígena] Yanomami”, highlighted Castro.
How did the reduction happen?
According to him, to achieve this reduction, actions were intensified in partnership with municipalities and Special Indigenous Health Districts. Investments in inputs such as medicines, rapid tests and impregnated mosquito nets have been prioritized to control the spread of the disease.
“The supplies for treatment, rapid testing, impregnated mosquito nets, insecticides, we have made everything available to the municipalities”, he added.
Furthermore, training supported by the Ministry of Health has been carried out, including the recent introduction of tafenoquine, a new drug released by Anvisa for the Yanomami region, reducing the treatment time for Plasmodium vivax malaria from seven to one day.
Care
It is essential that anyone experiencing symptoms such as chills, high fever for more than three days, headaches and muscle aches, enlarged spleen and delirium seek professional help. The use of repellents, clothing that protects the body and the elimination of mosquito breeding sites are also essential measures to prevent malaria.
