Local cases of malaria are being reported in Florida and Texas, marking the first time in 20 years that the mosquito-borne illness has spread within the US.
The Centers for Disease Control say active surveillance is ongoing for additional cases.
It claims that there is still a very low chance of contracting malaria in the US.
All five patients—four in Florida and one in Texas—have now received medical attention.
An infected mosquito bite is what causes malaria. No one can contract it from another person. However, insects pick it up from infected individuals, and the cycle continues.
It is widespread throughout much of Central and South America, Asia, and Africa, but not in the United States.
But Anopheles mosquitoes, which are widespread in the US, can spread malaria if they have eaten an infected person.
In places where: the risk is greater.
- Because of the climate, insects can live for the majority of the year.
- There are travelers from places with a high malaria risk.
Fever, sweats, and chills are symptoms of infection. Malaria is a medical emergency that needs to be treated right away with medications to eradicate the parasite that is to blame.
Mosquito bite prevention measures include using insect repellent and covering up.
Those who have recently been diagnosed and treated "are improving," according to the CDC, which is collaborating with the Florida and Texas health departments.
No matter their past international travel experiences, US doctors are advised to consider malaria in patients who have an unexplained fever, especially if they have traveled to or reside in Florida or Texas where the disease is prevalent.
After cases of mosquito-borne illness were found in Sarasota County and Manatee County, Florida issued a mosquito-borne illness alert, advising residents to drain standing water where mosquitoes can breed and wear long-sleeved shirts and pants.
