Malaria cases in Florida and Texas are first locally acquired infections in US in 20 years, CDC warns

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned on Monday of the return of locally acquired malaria cases, meaning the infections were not linked to overseas travel and appear to have been transmitted by mosquitoes to states. States carriers of the parasite.

So far there have been four cases of locally acquired malaria in Florida And one in texas over the past two months. There is no evidence to suggest the cases in the two states are linked.

“Malaria is a medical emergency and should be treated accordingly,” the CDC wrote in a Health Alert Network Health Advisories. “Patients suspected of having malaria should be urgently evaluated at a facility capable of providing prompt diagnosis and treatment, within 24 hours of presentation.”

Every year, about 2,000 cases of malaria are diagnosed in the United States, but they are usually linked to people who have traveled outside the country.

“Despite certification of malaria eradication” in the United States in 1970, “small outbreaks of locally acquired mosquito-borne malaria continue to occur,” the CDC wrote in 2003.

Locally acquired mosquito-borne malaria has not occurred in the United States since 2003, when there was 8 cases identified in Palm Beach County, Florida.

The new cases in Florida were identified in Sarasota County, the state Department of Health said. On Monday, state officials issued a statewide mosquito-borne disease advisory. All 4 people who caught the disease in the state have been treated and recovered.

A health advisory was also issued in Texas.

Malaria, which is caused by a parasite that usually infects a certain type of mosquito, can be deadly, according to the CDC. Symptoms include high fevers, chills, and flu-like symptoms. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea may also occur. While most people have symptoms that begin 10 days to 4 weeks after infection, a person may feel sick for up to a year after infection.

Although the disease is not contagious between humans, people can catch malaria by being bitten by an infectious female Anopheles mosquito. Malaria can be treated and cured with prescription drugs.

The CDC advises the public to take steps to prevent mosquito bites and control mosquitoes in the home. To avoid stings, use insecticide. The health agency also advises wearing loose, long-sleeved shirts and pants. At home, use screens on windows and doors and use air conditioning if available.