Local Transmission of Malaria Cases Not a Major Concern in Utah, Health Experts Say
Recent cases of local transmission of malaria in Florida and Texas have raised concerns about the spread of the potentially deadly disease in the United States. However, state and local health experts in Utah are assuring residents that the risk is minimal in the state.
According to Hannah Rettler, a zoonotic and vector-borne epidemiologist at the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, there have been six confirmed cases of malaria in Utah this year. All cases were acquired through mosquito bites in foreign countries, with five cases from Africa and one case from Central and South America. None of the cases are currently active and have been treated.
Rettler stated that the number of cases falls within the normal range for Utah, which typically sees around eight confirmed cases of travel-related malaria each year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report approximately 2,000 malaria cases in the United States annually.
The recent cases in Florida and Texas are significant because they involve individuals being infected with malaria after mosquito bites within the United States, which has not occurred since 2003. In response, the CDC issued a health advisory, describing malaria as a medical emergency and warning about the potential increase in cases due to international travel.
To prevent mosquito bites, the CDC recommends using approved insect repellent, wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants, and eliminating standing water where mosquitos can breed. Travelers should also be aware of malaria risk areas and take preventative medicine before their trips. If symptoms such as fever, chills, headache, muscle pain, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea develop after returning from a trip, medical care should be sought.
In Utah, mosquito activity is higher this year due to the abundant winter snow and spring rains. However, the presence of the Anopheles mosquito, which spreads the malaria parasite, is low throughout the state. Only 0.1% of the mosquitos collected statewide have been found to carry the parasite. The native Anopheles mosquito species is typically found in rural areas, with recent trapping occurring near the Salt Lake City International Airport.
Greg White, assistant director of the Salt Lake City Mosquito Abatement District, emphasized that the chances of getting malaria from a mosquito bite in Utah are extremely low. For transmission to occur, an infected person would have to be bitten by a local Anopheles mosquito, which then needs to incubate the pathogen for nearly two weeks before biting another susceptible human host.
While malaria has captured attention due to the local transmission cases, it is essential not to overlook other mosquito-borne illnesses such as West Nile virus. Utah officials are actively monitoring the spread of such diseases and working closely with local health departments and mosquito abatement districts. In 2021, there were 28 reported cases of West Nile virus in Utah, resulting in three deaths. Davis County’s mosquito abatement district recently detected West Nile virus in a mosquito pool in Syracuse.
The focus on malaria serves as a reminder of the presence of mosquito-borne diseases and the need for ongoing efforts in mosquito control. With mosquito activity higher this year, authorities continue to employ various treatments, including the use of mosquito-eating fish to control larvae in urban areas.
Overall, health experts stress that while the recent cases of local transmission of malaria in the United States are concerning, the risk in Utah remains low. Vigilance in preventative measures and monitoring the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses like West Nile virus is crucial to ensure public health and safety.