Malaria Case Detected in Maryland’s National Capital Region, Health Officials Say
Health officials in Maryland have reported a positive case of “locally acquired” malaria in the National Capital Region. The Maryland Department of Health confirmed and announced the case, stating that the individual did not recently travel outside the U.S. or to any other state.
Maryland Department of Health Secretary Laura Herrera Scott expressed concern over this case, as the state has not seen a malaria case unrelated to travel in over 40 years. Scott emphasized the seriousness of the situation and pledged to collaborate with local and federal health officials to investigate the case.
Malaria, a mosquito-borne disease caused by a parasite, is usually associated with overseas travel. In the U.S., it is reported that over 2,000 cases of malaria are registered annually, with the majority occurring in individuals who have returned from international trips. Maryland typically reports around 200 travel-related malaria cases per year.
Symptoms of malaria include high fever, chills, body aches, diarrhea, and vomiting, which usually manifest 7 to 30 days after an infected mosquito bite. Despite the recent case, the Department of Health assured the public that the overall risk of contracting the disease through an infected bug bite in the U.S. remains very low.
This development comes shortly after the United States witnessed five cases of locally spread malaria in the last two months, marking the first local spread of the disease in 20 years. Four cases were detected in Florida, and one in Texas, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
As health officials continue to monitor and investigate these cases, it is crucial for individuals to take necessary precautions to protect themselves from mosquito bites, especially in areas where malaria is prevalent.