Health experts have called for more mosquito monitoring after another US resident was diagnosed with malaria.
Active mosquito monitoring and risk-reduction are suggested by American Mosquito Control Association technical advisor Dan Markowski. "Instead of waiting until we find a sick person, we need to think about the next mosquito-borne disease now," he told NBC News.
Though malaria cases remain to be rare in the US, some health professionals encourage monitoring of the Anopheles mosquito, which spreads it. The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute's Dr. Photini Sinnis, a specialist there, emphasized the need to modify the methods used to monitor mosquitoes since authorities "have not been tracking" them.
Changing Situation
Nine US cases of malaria were reported this year. These occurrences occurred in Texas, Florida, and Maryland. These occurrences are unrelated and no fatalities were reported.
Dr. Sinnis noted that while there are few of these instances since the chance of transmission is so low, the rising frequency raises questions about shifting dynamics. "But when they start happening more frequently, you say, 'Maybe things are changing.'" she explained, emphasizing the shifting situation.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently cautioned the public about rising locally acquired malaria, which is not a communicable disease. According to The Hill, Malaria is considered a "medical emergency" that may be fatal for children under five years of age and pregnant women, according to the WHO. Moderate to life-threatening symptoms include an enlarged spleen, liver, or moderate jaundice.
No Need to Panic
Despite the rising cases, health officials avoid overreacting. According to Florida International University Epidemiology Department head Dr. Mary Jo Trepka, most people living in the United States have a minimal malaria risk.
"You're talking about a handful of cases in communities where there are millions and millions of people, right? So your average person is not at an elevated risk," she said, as quoted by ABC News.
Malaria is spread by mosquitoes. Flu-like symptoms like fever, chills, and body pains characterize the disease. Yearly, there are 2,000 malaria cases recorded in the US. The majority of the number comes from tourists or immigrants from malaria-endemic regions.
The disease's endemic status ended through the efforts of The National Malaria Eradication Program in the 1940s and 1950s.
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