June 27, 2023 – Florida and Texas have reported the primary cases of individuals within the United States contracting malaria from a mosquito bite since no less than 2003, in line with the CDC.
The federal health agency on Monday issued a nationwide warning to health care providers and officials to observe for symptoms of the possibly deadly disease. People within the United States often contract malaria while traveling abroad.
All five people – 4 in Florida and one in Texas – have been treated and are improving, in line with the CDC. The Texas case is unrelated to the Florida cases and all cases occurred within the last two months.
Malaria can’t be transmitted from individual to individual. It is transmitted through the bite of an infected female mosquito. The last cases of humans infected within the United States occurred 20 years ago, when there have been eight cases in Palm Beach County, FL. The Texas Department of Health said that the last local malaria outbreak within the state occurred in 1994.
The Florida Department of Health said that mosquito spray was getting used within the two counties surrounding Sarasota, Florida, where the 4 cases occurred.
The CDC said the danger of contracting malaria within the United States “remains extremely low.” The agency advised people to guard themselves against mosquito bites by taking precautions, similar to applying insect repellent and wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants. People must also take steps to make sure mosquitoes are usually not near their homes, similar to removing standing water that mosquitoes use to breed their eggs.
According to the CDC, greater than 240 million cases of malaria occur worldwide annually, 95% of which occur in Africa. In the United States, 2,000 cases are diagnosed annually and are linked to international travel. Symptoms of malaria are much like those of other diseases and include fever, chills, headache, and muscle aches. If left untreated, malaria will be fatal.