For the first time in twenty years, five cases of malaria infected on American soil have been confirmed in Florida and Texas, the United States health authorities have alarmed.
“All patients are receiving treatment and are improving,” said the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) network.
He points out that the four cases that occurred in Florida (Southeast) do not appear to be related to the fifth case diagnosed in Texas (South).
Health officials want to check whether more cases are being reported and preventive measures have been taken, particularly against mosquitoes that transmit malaria.
In Florida, Sarasota and Manatee counties have been encouraged to drain standing water, which is a breeding ground for mosquitoes, and to protect themselves from bites by wearing long pants and long sleeves.
Texas also released health advice after a resident who worked outdoors was diagnosed with malaria in Cameron, the only one in Texas so far.
“Despite these cases, the risk of localized malaria transmission in the United States remains extremely low,” the CDC added.
The last local case of malaria in the United States dates back to 2003, when eight patients were identified in famed Palm Beach County, Florida, the CDC recalled.
Most cases of malaria in the United States are imported and occur in travelers returning from countries where transmission is endemic.
Malaria, or malaria (another name for the disease), caused the deaths of 619,000 people worldwide in 2021, according to the latest figures from the World Health Organization (WHO).
It is caused by a tiny parasite of the genus Plasmodium, which is transmitted through mosquito bites and causes fever, headache and chills until it becomes a serious or even fatal condition if left untreated.
Almost half of the world’s population lives in a risk area and can contract malaria. The vast majority of cases and deaths occur in Africa.