The Ministry of Health last night confirmed that three members of the Haitian football team which is in Jamaica for the CONCACAF 17 World Cup qualifying championships were found to have malaria.

In a release, the ministry said the three people with the imported cases of malaria are currently being treated. Other members of the team are displaying symptoms of the illness and are also being treated, the ministry said.

The Ministry has recommended that in the circumstances those found to have the disease not participate in the tournament and therefore return to Haiti. These arrangements are presently being made.

The Ministry has implemented its surveillance system to be able to quickly identify and treat any other cases. Vector control measures, including fogging of adult mosquitoes have also been put in place.

There have been no locally transmitted cases of malaria since the start of the year.

Malaria is transmitted when a female Anopheles mosquito infected with a malaria parasite bites an individual.

Symptoms include fever, chills and headaches, muscle aches and tiredness.