The Maryland Department of Health has confirmed and disclosed the occurrence of the locally acquired malaria infection.
A case of locally acquired malaria has been identified by health authorities in Maryland’s National Capital Region
Notably, the individual affected had not undertaken recent international or interstate travel. Highlighting the rarity of such cases, Maryland Department of Health Secretary Laura Herrera Scott noted that it has been more than four decades since the state witnessed a case of locally acquired malaria unrelated to travel. She underscored the significance of the matter, affirming collaboration with local and federal health agencies for a thorough investigation.
Malaria, a disease carried by mosquitoes and caused by a parasite, is the focal point of concern
The United States records over 2,000 locally acquired malaria cases annually, primarily among individuals who have returned from foreign trips. In Maryland, around 200 cases tied to travel are typically reported each year. The locally acquired malaria disease manifests with symptoms like high fever, chills, body pain, diarrhea, and vomiting, appearing approximately a week to a month following a mosquito bite.
The Department of Health has emphasized that despite this incident of locally acquired malaria, the general risk of contracting the illness from mosquito bites in the U.S. remains very low.
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