Florida’s Sarasota County has detected the presence of malaria in multiple mosquitoes, as health officials intensify efforts to prevent further spread of the disease. This comes after four cases of locally-acquired malaria were recently reported in Florida, along with one in Texas, marking the first instances of the mosquito-borne illness being transmitted within the United States since 2003.
Authorities in Sarasota County’s Mosquito Management Services revealed that three mosquitoes carrying the malaria-causing parasite were found in the same woodlot. These mosquitoes were among over a hundred samples sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for testing.
To combat the spread of malaria, local authorities have concentrated their eradication measures on eliminating Anopheles mosquitoes, the carriers of the disease. These efforts include extensive spraying from trucks, aircraft, and on foot in the affected area.
The CDC spokesperson confirmed that mosquito specimens from both Florida and Texas were received to aid in their investigations into the cases. In Texas, however, all mosquitoes tested negative for the parasite, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
Although there is no confirmation of additional suspected cases under investigation in either state, health departments in Texas and Florida have been vigilant in monitoring the situation.
The symptoms of malaria can initially resemble those of the flu, including fever, headache, and fatigue. If left untreated, the disease can quickly become dangerous. The World Health Organization estimates that approximately 619,000 people worldwide died from malaria in 2021, with tropical climates being the most common regions affected.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the CDC regularly received reports of hundreds of malaria cases in the United States each year, primarily from individuals who had recently traveled internationally. It is also possible for cases known as “airport” malaria to occur, where mosquitoes are inadvertently transported on airplanes, or in rare cases, through contaminated blood transfusions. However, unlike the common cold or flu, malaria cannot be transmitted from human to human.
Mosquitoes become carriers of malaria by feeding on the blood of infected individuals. The parasite then incubates within the mosquito for several weeks before being transmitted to new hosts when the mosquito feeds again.
While the CDC believes the risk of further local spread of malaria is minimal nationwide, it acknowledges the presence of Anopheles mosquitoes, capable of transmitting the disease, in various parts of the country.
In light of these recent developments, the CDC has issued an advisory urging medical professionals to consider malaria as a possible diagnosis for individuals with an unknown fever, irrespective of their international travel history, particularly if they have been in areas where locally acquired malaria cases have been reported.
During the last local outbreak of malaria in 2003, which affected residents of Palm Beach County in Florida, authorities promptly conducted mosquito trapping and testing while intensifying efforts to control mosquito populations. However, none of the collected mosquitoes at that time showed evidence of the malaria parasite during CDC testing. This incident served as a reminder of the potential for malaria reintroduction into the United States despite surveillance, vector-control activities, and local public health responses.
In response to the recent cases, the Florida Department of Health has issued a statewide advisory for mosquito-borne illnesses, urging residents to take precautions such as using insect repellent, avoiding areas with high mosquito populations, and wearing protective clothing.
To protect themselves, individuals are advised to eliminate standing water sources that serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes and to maintain their surroundings by keeping screens intact and using appropriate repellents. Health officials continue to conduct aerial and ground spraying in areas with high mosquito activity.
It is essential for the public to remain vigilant in their personal efforts to prevent mosquito bites and reduce mosquito populations as Florida and Texas work diligently to contain the spread of malaria and protect their communities.
