Unlike Dengue, Zika or Chikungunya infections, which can acquire epidemic expression, I begin by attesting that the risk of Malaria returning to Portugal is practically zero, despite being a disease transmitted by mosquitoes among us.
I will try to clarify this issue, in simple language, based on my experience of having lived in Africa, between 1980 and 1991, where I worked as a doctor specializing in public health.
In contrast to Angola or Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau never attracted settlers, as a result of the recognized adverse climate conditions and the high prevalence of endemic tropical diseases, namely malaria (the deadliest of the major endemics). Even so, I didn’t hesitate to live in Bissau, together with my family. He had immense confidence in the effectiveness of preventive measures, which he observed with meticulous rigor.
At the time, I received many lessons from Francisco Cambournac (1903-1994), an eminent doctor, professor at the Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine who regularly carried out missions as a consultant within the scope of Portuguese cooperation. I accompanied him during these works, carried out near the tabancas and moranças in the middle of the forest. Cambournac was a wise man who mastered vast knowledge of medicine, biology and anthropology. Their conversations were always captivating. One day, after lunch at my house in Bissau, he began an amazing dialogue:
– Hey George, I’ve noticed that the doors and windows are completely protected with nets, but have you checked, outside in the courtyard, where the mosquitoes sleep?
– No, Professor. Why?
– Because mosquitoes always sleep in the same place during the day, as they only become active at dusk. Then they return to the same place. Note that they have habits that don’t change and, what’s more, these same routines are automatically transmitted to subsequent generations. In other words, future adult mosquitoes that start flying after the females lay their eggs will sleep in the same places!
– I did not know. But if that’s the case, let’s go and see where they’re sleeping.
There we went to analyze possible dormitories. After 10 minutes, with a tone of undisguised joy, he said to me:
– They’re here on this garage wall!
I went to see the dark spot that the mosquitoes formed. They slept on the walls in an oblique position, characteristic of Anopheles mosquitoes (malaria vectors).
Next, we applied an insecticide with a residual effect on that wall. Shortly afterwards, the mosquitoes in the surrounding area ended. A peace!
For Cambournac, science involved action.
(Continues)
Former Director General of Health
franciscogeorge@icloud.com