Health officials are preparing to release further details on two imported cases of malaria as Antigua and Barbuda intensifies disease surveillance measures at its ports of entry.

The update was disclosed during Thursday’s post-Cabinet briefing by Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant while outlining enhanced public health measures being implemented by the Ministry of Health.

Merchant said the ministry would provide an official update on the cases before the end of the week or early next week.

“The ministry will give an update on two cases of malaria that were imported into Antigua,” Merchant said, adding that the individuals involved had recently visited the country.

The disclosure comes as the government ramps up monitoring efforts in response to international health concerns involving Ebola, Hantavirus and malaria outbreaks in various parts of the world.

Merchant said the Ministry of Health has already begun upgrading operations at the Port Health Unit to facilitate enhanced surveillance and screening procedures at the nation’s ports of entry.

Among the measures being introduced are expanded health screenings, temperature checks and closer monitoring of travellers’ movements over the previous 21 days.

The Infectious Disease Centre is also being readied as a precautionary measure should health authorities need to isolate or monitor individuals considered to be of concern.