Florida and Texas issue US health alert due to increasing malaria cases
US health officials issue a health alert as Florida and Texas witness localized transmission of malaria – the first occurrence of the mosquito-borne disease within the country in two decades.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) actively conducts surveillance to identify additional cases.
The CDC emphasizes that the risk of contracting malaria in the US remains exceedingly low. All five patients, four in Florida and one in Texas, have received appropriate treatment.
Malaria is transmitted through mosquito bites and cannot be transmitted directly between individuals.
Anopheles mosquitoes, prevalent in many US regions, can transmit malaria if they have previously fed on an infected person.
How to prevent Malaria:
Prevent malaria by using insecticide-treated bed nets, which provide physical protection and repel mosquitoes.
Apply indoor residual spraying to kill mosquitoes and disrupt their breeding. Use effective antimalarial drugs to treat infected individuals promptly.
Implement community education programs to raise awareness about prevention methods and symptoms.
Encourage proper water management to eliminate mosquito breeding sites. Conduct regular surveillance to detect and respond to outbreaks. Ensure access to healthcare facilities for early diagnosis and treatment.
Collaborate with international organizations and governments to develop and implement comprehensive malaria control strategies.
Advocate for research and development of new tools and vaccines. Engage communities in sustainable efforts to control malaria transmission.
