Health officials alarmed after Malaria detected in U.S. for first time in 20 years

Health officials have issued a health alert after five cases of malaria were acquired in the United States, marking the first time that the mosquito-borne disease has been found in the country in 20 years. 

Five new cases of malaria were reported in the U.S. over the last two months—one in Texas and four in Florida. 

There are about 2,000 cases of malaria diagnosed each year in the nation. However, the cases are found in people who have traveled to countries where they are exposed to the mosquito carrying the disease. However, the new cases were found in people who have not traveled abroad, increasing fears that local mosquitoes could be spreading the disease. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there hasn’t been a case of locally acquired malaria since 2003 in Palm Beach, Florida. In Texas, the last locally acquired case of malaria occurred in 1994. 

“It’s always worrisome that you have local transmission in an area,” Estelle Martin, an entomologist at the University of Florida who researches mosquito-borne diseases, told Vox.

Malaria spreads when a person carrying the parasite gets bit by a mosquito. The parasite then develops inside the mosquito, which then bites more people, thereby spreading the disease. 

The symptoms of malaria include fever, chills, muscle aches, headaches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and tiredness, according to the CDC. However, some people who contract the disease do not show any symptoms, making it easier to spread the parasite to others. 

If Malaria is not treated, it can lead to anemia, kidney failure, seizures, coma, and even death. 

There is no evidence suggesting that the five cases of malaria found this year are related to each other, the CDC said, adding that the risk of contracting the disease remains low. 

All five patients have received treatment and are recovering, the CDC reported. 

The Texas Department of State Health Services announced the detection of the local malaria and advised residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites by applying mosquito repellant and using long sleeves and pants. 

Similarly, the Florida Department of Health issued a statewide mosquito-borne illness advisory on Monday.