Chile confirms imported malaria caused sailor's death, ruling out local risk

Health officials in Chile's Biobío Region have confirmed that imported malaria caused the death of a Vietnamese merchant marine. The sailor had been aboard the chemical tanker NV Athena, which made an emergency stop in Tomé due to his severe illness. He was admitted to the intensive care unit with a complex hemorrhagic fever and later died.

Authorities emphasized that there is no risk of a local malaria outbreak. The disease is transmitted by the Anopheles mosquito, which is not present in the central-south region of Chile. This geographical limitation prevents the malaria parasite's life cycle from being completed locally.

The Institute of Public Health (ISP) confirmed the malaria diagnosis after processing biological samples. This confirmation also allowed health officials to rule out other complex viral infections, such as Ebola.

Following the confirmation and assessment, the regional health authority cleared the vessel to continue its journey. The remaining crew members were found to pose no infectious risk to others, allowing the NV Athena to depart for its next port.