The first cases of malaria transmitted to the United States in decades raise concern

Doctor Catherine Troisi:

Well, you are right that climate change is affecting the distribution of the mosquito responsible for spreading malaria.

Also, when temperatures are higher, these mosquitoes feed more often, so people are more likely to be bitten and the parasite itself replicates faster inside the mosquito. Also, global warming is contributing to increased storms, so there may be more standing water, where mosquitoes can breed.

However, again, in the United States, because we have — most people have screens on their windows, on their doors, we know to wear insect repellent, although it’s a good reminder, we don’t have many gaps in our prevention mechanisms that would lead to the widespread spread of malaria.