Current:Home > StocksMalaria cases in Texas and Florida are the first U.S. spread since 2003, the CDC says -SummitInvest
Malaria cases in Texas and Florida are the first U.S. spread since 2003, the CDC says
View
Date:2025-04-12 02:26:03
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.
veryGood! (861)
Related
- Why Sean "Diddy" Combs Is Being Given a Laptop in Jail Amid Witness Intimidation Fears
- FSU football fires offensive, defensive coordinators, wide receivers coach
- The Cowboys, claiming to be 'all in' prior to Dak Prescott's injury, are in a rare spot: Irrelevance
- These Yellowstone Gift Guide Picks Will Make You Feel Like You’re on the Dutton Ranch
- California DMV apologizes for license plate that some say mocks Oct. 7 attack on Israel
- Wisconsin’s high court to hear oral arguments on whether an 1849 abortion ban remains valid
- Diddy's ex-bodyguard sues rape accuser for defamation over claims of 2001 assault
- How Ben Affleck Really Feels About His and Jennifer Lopez’s Movie Gigli Today
- Stamford Road collision sends motorcyclist flying; driver arrested
- Michael Grimm, former House member convicted of tax fraud, is paralyzed in fall from horse
Ranking
- 'Malcolm in the Middle’ to return with new episodes featuring Frankie Muniz
- 24 more monkeys that escaped from a South Carolina lab are recovered unharmed
- Chet Holmgren injury update: Oklahoma City Thunder star suffers hip fracture
- 'He's driving the bus': Jim Harbaugh effect paying dividends for Justin Herbert, Chargers
- Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump
- Lala Kent Swears by This Virgo-Approved Accessory and Shares Why Stassi Schroeder Inspires Her Fall Style
- Kelly Rowland and Nelly Reunite for Iconic Performance of Dilemma 2 Decades Later
- Man killed in Tuskegee University shooting in Alabama is identified. 16 others were hurt
Recommendation
Federal court filings allege official committed perjury in lawsuit tied to Louisiana grain terminal
1 dead, 2 children injured in wrong-way crash; driver suspected of DWI: Reports
2024 'virtually certain' to be warmest year on record, scientists say
Ben Affleck and His Son Samuel, 12, Enjoy a Rare Night Out Together
Charges tied to China weigh on GM in Q4, but profit and revenue top expectations
RHOBH's Kyle Richards Shares Reaction to BFF Teddi Mellencamp's Divorce
Deebo Samuel explains 'out of character' sideline altercation with 49ers long snapper, kicker
'Heretic' spoilers! Hugh Grant spills on his horror villain's fears and fate