Malaria Cases Reach 82
The number of infected with falciparum malaria - the most dangerous of the malaria that has the highest rates of complications and mortality - reached 82 and was confirmed by the Ministerio de Salud.

Health minister, María Luisa Ávila, personally visited the area of Matina. All the cases have been concentrated in the province of Limón.

The first case of malaria was deteced last week in the area of Talamanca, a mainly rural area inhabited by indígenas (natives), that health officials moved in quickly to avoid an outbreak.

The minister, along with officials of the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS), are attempting to confront the emergency head on, with three groups, one working to deal with the infected, the other in the laboratory and the third in controlling the situation.

Working with the CCSS and the Health Ministry are officials of the Organización Panamericana de la Salud (Panamerican health organization) and the local town and municipal officials.

The health ministry is also mounting a publicity campaign to inform the population on malaria and that it is not a "strong cold" but rather is a delicate and life threatening illness.

Malaria is caused by infection with protozoa of the genus Plasmodium. The name malaria comes from the Italian male aria, meaning bad air. The infection is trasmitted by mosquitoes from one person to another from bites.

Malaria has been a scourge throughout history and has killed more people than all wars and other plagues combined.