The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a health alert following the discovery of five cases of locally acquired malaria in the states of Texas and Florida, NBC news reports. These cases mark the first instances of malaria being acquired within the United States in the past 20 years and are unrelated to travel outside the country.
On June 26, the five cases discovered include four reported in Florida and one in Texas. The CDC has stated that there is currently no evidence suggesting a connection between the cases in the two states. The last instances of locally acquired malaria were identified in Palm Beach County, Florida, back in 2003.
Malaria is a serious and potentially fatal disease primarily transmitted through mosquito bites. While it does not spread directly between humans, pregnant women can pass the infection to their fetuses or infants during pregnancy or childbirth.
The CDC emphasizes the urgency of addressing malaria as a medical emergency. All five patients have received treatment and are currently in recovery.
The Texas Department of State Health Services recently announced the detection of a local malaria case in an individual who had spent time working outdoors. The affected person had neither traveled outside the country nor the state. In response, the department has advised residents of Texas to protect themselves from mosquito bites by using insect repellent, wearing long sleeves and pants, and eliminating sources of standing water where mosquitoes lay eggs.
Similarly, the Florida Department of Health has issued a statewide advisory regarding mosquito-borne illnesses, specifically mentioning the four malaria cases reported in Sarasota County.
The recent cases of malaria in the United States have been caused by the P. vivax parasite, which infects mosquitoes. While this parasite is not as deadly as others that cause malaria, it can lie dormant in the body and lead to chronic infections months or even years after the initial illness.
Common symptoms of malaria include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue. Some patients may also experience nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. These symptoms typically appear between 10 days and four weeks after being bitten by an infected mosquito.The CDC has also warned that there may be a rise in malaria cases this summer due to increased travel to and from areas outside the United States.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States reported approximately 2,000 cases of malaria annually, with nearly all cases associated with travel to other countries. The CDC notes that between 5 and 10 deaths occurred each year due to malaria.
In light of the recent cases, the CDC urges doctors and hospitals to have a plan in place for promptly diagnosing malaria patients, allowing for the administration of antimalarial drugs within 24 hours. Additionally, hospitals should ensure the availability of an intravenous version of the drug Artesunate, the only treatment approved for severe malaria in the United States.
The CDC advises individuals planning to travel to areas where malaria is transmitted to consult their doctors regarding preventive medications.
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