The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has officially confirmed five cases of malaria in Florida and Texas, marking the first occurrence of locally transmitted cases of this mosquito-borne illness in the United States in two decades.
In the past two months, health authorities have identified four cases in Florida and one in Texas. Ongoing investigations are underway to determine if additional individuals may have contracted the disease. This recent development, as reported in a CDC health advisory on June 26, represents the first instances of people acquiring malaria within the United States since 2003, when eight cases of locally transmitted malaria were documented in Palm Beach County, Florida.
As a precautionary measure, experts recommend treating your clothing with permethrin to effectively eliminate mosquitoes on contact and reduce the risk of contracting malaria.
“Malaria is a medical emergency and should be treated accordingly,” the CDC said.
Symptoms of Malaria
As per information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), malaria is a disease that does not present specific distinctive symptoms, but it typically manifests with a range of common indicators such as fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. These symptoms usually appear in individuals approximately 10 days to four weeks after they have been exposed to the malaria-causing parasite.
If left untreated, malaria can progress into a severe form of the disease, leading to a variety of serious complications. These complications include cognitive impairment, kidney failure, acute respiratory distress, coma, and, in the worst cases, death. Pregnant individuals are especially susceptible to severe malaria infections, which can result in miscarriages, preterm births, and stillbirths. Additionally, infants, children under 5 years old, and individuals with conditions such as HIV or weakened immune systems are at a heightened risk of experiencing severe malaria infections.
The treatment of malaria typically involves the use of medications such as chloroquine or, in certain cases, antibiotics like quinolones. The specific treatment regimen employed depends on the type of malaria contracted and the severity of the illness, in accordance with the guidelines established by the CDC.
In recent news, the CDC has reported that there have been five confirmed cases of malaria diagnosed in Florida and Texas. The affected individuals are currently undergoing treatment and are in the process of recovery. Although these cases do not appear to have a direct link, health authorities in both Texas and Florida are working together to investigate the situation further. They are implementing measures to monitor the local mosquito population and identify any potential additional cases, thereby taking proactive steps to prevent the further spread of the disease.
Malaria While Traveling – A Cause for Worry?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has highlighted that nearly all instances of malaria in the United States are imported cases, primarily affecting individuals who have recently journeyed to countries where malaria transmission is considerably more prevalent, often found in regions like sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Prior to the disruption brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States used to witness the diagnosis of approximately 2,000 instances of malaria contracted internationally each year.
Since international travel tends to reach its peak during the summer months, it is customary for malaria cases in the U.S. to be identified predominantly during the summer and early autumn, according to the CDC. This year, the CDC is anticipating a resurgence in travel activity, potentially leading to a return of internationally acquired malaria cases to pre-pandemic levels.
The CDC strongly advises healthcare practitioners to entertain the possibility of malaria as a diagnosis in any individual presenting with an unexplained fever, regardless of whether they have recently embarked on international travel. Additionally, healthcare providers, particularly in the states of Florida and Texas, are urged to inquire about both domestic and international travel history to ascertain whether patients may have been exposed to malaria within the United States.
To mitigate the risk of contracting mosquito-borne malaria, the CDC recommends several preventive measures. These include the use of insect repellent, donning long-sleeved clothing and pants to minimize skin exposure, and treating clothing and footwear with permethrin, which effectively eliminates mosquitoes upon contact. When traveling abroad, individuals are encouraged to choose accommodations equipped with air conditioning or to sleep under a mosquito net to thwart mosquito bites. Furthermore, travelers to malaria-endemic regions may want to contemplate the use of malaria prophylactic medication, such as doxycycline or malarone, as an added layer of protection against the disease.
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