Malaria, a mosquito-borne infectious disease mostly found in tropical climates, is now on American shores. Late Monday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced a spat of cases — one in Texas and four in Florida — discovered in May and June that were locally acquired versus acquired while traveling abroad. This is the first time this has happened since 2003.
The CDC said that all five patients received treatment and are recovering, but the agency remains on alert for any new cases. While malaria was once a public health threat in the US, its presence was eradicated in the early 1950s. The last major outbreak was in 2003 with eight patients in Palm Beach County, Florida, all of whom had significant outdoor exposure.
For now, the CDC says the risk of catching malaria in the US “remains extremely low.” However, the instance shouldn’t be taken lightly, especially as many of us will be spending more time outdoors and traveling during the summer. Here’s what you need to know.
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