On World Malaria Day, April 25, the Malaria Program makes an urgent appeal to travelers who have been in the interior of Guyana, French Guiana or Brazil: be tested for malaria immediately upon return, even if you do not show any symptoms. Despite Suriname’s success in combating this deadly disease, the country remains vigilant against possible imported cases as malaria still occurs in surrounding neighboring countries.
Travelers who contracted the disease in these areas will be treated immediately. Hundreds of thousands of people still die from malaria worldwide, which is why this disease is the focus on April 25. The World Health Organization (WHO) theme for 2024 is “Accelerating the fight against malaria for a fairer world”.
Suriname has achieved significant success in eradicating malaria, a remarkable achievement considering that until 2005 the disease was widespread domestically, especially among young children and pregnant women. In 2023, Suriname was declared Malaria Champion of North and South America for the third time by PAHO.
If no new cases are reported this year, Suriname will reach a new milestone: the WHO will declare the country malaria-free, the third country in the Americas and the eleventh country worldwide.
Travelers can be tested for malaria at various locations, including TropClinic Geyersvlijt, TropClinic Anamoestraat, the BOG Malaria Lab, Medilab and MMC Nickerie.
