At the end of June 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a health advisory, stating that five malaria cases had been identified in the United States.
Four were in Florida and one was in Texas. None of the cases were related to international travel.
Malaria is a life-threatening illness that occurs when a person is bitten by a mosquito with the disease. Symptoms range from high fever and vomiting to bloody stools and anemia. Untreated, it can be potentially life-threatening.
Currently, there is no malaria vaccine in the United States and there isn’t expected to be one any time soon.
When it comes to vaccinations, public health officials prioritize immunizing against diseases and illnesses that are more common in specific areas.
It’s also worth noting that the recent malaria outbreak “clusters” involved a different malaria species called P. vivax, said Dr. Larry Kociolek, an attending physician of infectious diseases at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and member of the HRSA-funded Pediatric Pandemic Network.
“Therefore, this vaccine would not prevent the cases acquired in the U.S.,” he told Healthline.
Kociolek assured that “the risk of malaria to those living in the U.S. is exceedingly low.” Doctors recommend taking preventative measures:
Some of these include:
- Wearing effective and safe mosquito-repellent when outdoors.
- Wearing loose-fitting clothing that covers the arms, legs, and ankles.
- Wearing enclosed shoes.
- Placing screens on windows and doors.
- Sleeping under a mosquito net.
Read the full story via Healthline.