Malaria cases in Texas and Florida are the first U.S. spread since 2003, the CDC says

2024-12-25 10:18:28 source:lotradecoin staking category:Invest

Five cases of the mosquito-borne infection malaria have been detected in the United States in the past two months, marking the first local spread in the country in 20 years.

Four of the cases were found in Florida, while the fifth was logged in Texas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The cases are believed to be locally acquired, a statement from the organization read, though the developments pose a concern for a potential rise in imported malaria cases with increased international summer travel.

Malaria, which is mostly found in tropical countries, can be life-threatening but is preventable and curable. The World Health Organization says in 2021 there were an estimated 247 million cases of malaria worldwide. Of those cases, an estimated 619,000 people died from the disease.

And it could get worse around the world, according to a scientific study published by The Lancet in 2021, which found that climate change will increase the suitability for both malaria and dengue, another mosquito-borne illness.

"Rising global mean temperature will increase the climatic suitability of both diseases particularly in already endemic areas," according to the study's authors. "The predicted expansion toward higher altitudes and temperature regions suggests that outbreaks can occur in areas where people might be immunologically naive and public health systems unprepared."

Mild symptoms of malaria include fever, chills and headaches, according to WHO, while severe symptoms can include difficulty breathing, fatigue, confusion and even seizures. However, it is preventable with medicine and taking measures to not get bit by mosquitoes carrying the organism.

The CDC said all of the recent cases in the U.S. have received treatment, "and are improving."

About 2,000 cases of malaria are logged in the U.S. each year, according to the agency. The last time mosquito-borne malaria occurred in the U.S. was in 2008, when eight cases were identified in Palm Beach County, Fla.

More:Invest

Recommend

New Jersey, home to many oil and gas producers, eyes fees to fight climate change

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — It’s not an accident that “The Sopranos,” the quintessential show about New Jer

'I tried telling them to stop': Video shows people yank bear cubs from tree for selfie

State officials in North Carolina are investigating after a group of people were captured on video y

With Oklahoma out of the mix, here's how Florida gymnastics can finally win it all

The roster is vastly different, but the Florida gymnastics team will head into the NCAA National Cha