HONIARA RESIDENTS EXPECT HIGH RISK OF MALARIA UNTIL JUNE 2015

A mosquito bite. Photo credit: www.telegraph.co.uk

A mosquito bite. Photo credit: www.telegraph.co.uk

Honiara residents expect a high risk of malaria chances until around June.

Deputy Director of Meteorology Lloyd Tahani confirms to SIBC News.

He says based on the MalaClim Model, the amount of rainfall in the past three months can influence malaria cases in the country, especially on North Guadalcanal.

“Actually the MalaClim Model works in a way that the amount of rainfall for the past three months, October, November and December can have an influence on the malaria cases that we have, especially in North Guadalcanal where Honiara is located, and so by looking at the early warning system it has thresholds where the total rainfall for these three months is below 370mm, having a high risk of malaria which is above normal.”

While the MalaClim Model is a test run, the Deputy Director cautioned people to be prepared as information it produces are quite vital.

“This is just a running test model but it’s a very important information for us especially for people who are living in North Guadalcanal and Honiara. The model tells us that from the period January to June malaria cases will increase. In other words, the condition and environment we are likely to have, will be suitable for malaria so be cautious and make sure we sleep under bed nets and clean our surroundings especially water-logged areas in which mosquitos can breed as well as stay safe during times when mosquitos can bite.”

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