For the first time since 2003, there have been locally acquired Malaria infections reported in the United States. Since May, there have been eight reported cases of Malaria in Florida and Texas.
It is reported by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control), that every year there are on average 2,000 cases of Malaria in the US, all of which were suspected to be contracted while abroad. According to the CDC, chances for locally acquired infections of Malaria in the US are extremely rare.
Malaria in the U.S.
In 2020, the CDC reported 241 million cases of malaria recorded, with 627,000 becoming fatal. There are on average 2,000 cases of Malaria reported in the United States each year, and they were all said to have been contracted outside of the U.S. until this year.
With the temperatures rising across the globe during the summer months, it is no surprise that mosquito season is upon us. However, eight cases of Malaria are existing proof that Malaria infected mosquitos are finding their way to the US.
With this news in mind, it is important to remain cautious in sight of mosquitoes and the diseases they carry.
How is Malaria Transmitted?
Malaria is most often transmitted by being bitten by a female Anopheles Mosquito. These are the only species of mosquitoes that can transmit Malaria and they must have been previously infected to pass it on.
Fortunately, Malaria is not contagious from person to person. It cannot be transmitted into the air like the flu or cold and is only transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito.
Symptoms of Malaria
Symptoms of Malaria include but are not limited to:
- Fever
- Chills
- Muscle Aches
- Nausea
- Headache
- Anemia
Though the symptoms are common to those of the flu or a cold, Malaria may be fatal if not properly treated.
How to Prevent Malaria
When having a backyard barbeque or sitting out by the pool, there are several home remedies to keep mosquitoes away, such as using bug spray, wearing clothing to cover exposed skin, and avoiding highly populated mosquito areas. These methods, however, do not reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home. It’s important to keep in mind that these methods may offer some relief, they will not produce the same results as professional mosquito control treatments.
The Role of MissQuito
Our team at MissQuito is ready to help by offering effective mosquito control services to keep you and your family safe from the dangers of mosquitoes. We have several treatment options to reduce the active population of mosquitoes around your home and to eliminate potential mosquito breeding sites. Let us help you keep mosquitoes away and keep your family safe!