The testing follows discovery of four locally acquired cases of malaria in Florida and one in Texas — the first known since 2003<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
By Physician\u2019s Briefing Staff HealthDay Reporter<\/b><\/p>\n
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FRIDAY, June 30, 2023 (HealthDay News) — Public health authorities are continuing to investigate malaria cases in Florida and Texas, gathering mosquitoes for tests.<\/p>\n
Multiple mosquitoes from Sarasota County in Florida have tested positive for malaria at a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lab, CBS News<\/em> reported. So far all mosquitoes tested in Texas have been negative for the disease, according to a spokesperson for the Texas Department of State Health.<\/p>\n The testing follows discovery of four locally acquired cases of malaria in Florida and one in Texas — the first known cases of the illness being transmitted inside the United States since 2003, CBS News<\/em> reported.<\/p>\n In Florida, Sarasota County Mosquito Management Services said it had found three mosquitoes that were carrying the disease-causing parasite, all located in the same woodlot. Local authorities are spraying in an effort to eradicate potential malaria in Anopheles<\/em> mosquitoes in that area.<\/p>\n The CDC says risk of further local spread of malaria “remains extremely low” nationwide, but also issued a public health advisory. The Anopheles<\/em> mosquitoes that can spread the parasite that causes malaria are found in much of the United States.<\/p>\n “Consider the diagnosis of malaria in any person with a fever of unknown origin, regardless of international travel history, particularly if they have been to the areas with recent locally acquired malaria,” the CDC urged in its advisory.<\/p>\n It is not known whether health departments in either state are investigating additional suspected cases, CBS News<\/em> reported.<\/p>\n