CDC shares new info on recent local malaria case.

The Latest Malaria ⁣Case in⁢ the United ⁢States

The‍ most recent ‍locally acquired malaria case​ is different ⁢from the others that have popped up in the‌ United States this year, according⁢ to⁣ the U.S. Centers for Disease⁤ Control and Prevention (CDC).

The species of malaria detected in a Maryland resident this month following local transmission was plasmodium falciparum, the CDC, which has ‌been ⁤assisting Maryland officials in an investigation‌ of the case, said on Aug. 28.

That means‌ the case‌ is ⁤not related to previously ⁣recorded cases involving‌ local transmission in Texas and Florida.

Those cases ​tested for plasmodium vivax, a different species.

The new cases ‌across‍ the three states are the first locally transmitted cases in the United States since 2003, when⁣ an outbreak occurred in Palm Beach ‍County, Florida.

CDC​ is working with⁢ health officials in all three states to investigate and monitor the cases.

The Maryland Department of Health announced the state’s case on ⁤Aug. 18.

Officials said then that the person lives in Maryland, was hospitalized, and is ⁤now recovering. The person⁤ did not travel recently to another country, Florida, or ⁤Texas.

“Malaria was once common⁤ in the United States, including in Maryland, but‌ we have not⁣ seen a case in Maryland that was not ⁢related to travel in over ⁢40 years,” Maryland Department of Health Secretary Laura Herrera Scott said at the ⁢time. “We are taking ​this‍ very seriously and will work with local and federal health officials to investigate this⁣ case.”

“Malaria‌ can⁢ be very dangerous⁣ and even fatal if it is not‍ treated, but early treatment reduces the chances of complications,” added Deputy​ Secretary for Public Health Services Dr. ‍Nilesh Kalyanaraman. “We urge the ‌public to take precautions against mosquito bites, and if you develop symptoms after traveling⁣ abroad, seek urgent ​medical care.”

The ​agency didn’t disclose the age​ or sex ​of the person, more specific information about where he or she lives, the date the person⁣ became infected, or when the person was diagnosed.

“To protect‍ patient⁣ confidentiality, we are not sharing any further patient information,” a Maryland Department of Health spokesperson told The‍ Epoch Times via email.

The spokesperson said on​ Aug. 29 that there have‍ been no updates outside new information on the species.

The CDC said that surveillance for additional cases of malaria, as well as​ surveillance and‍ control of mosquitoes ⁢with malaria, will⁣ continue in Maryland, Florida, ‌and Texas for eight⁢ weeks ​following the most⁣ recent case in each state.

Earlier Cases

Texas⁣ authorities​ detected ‍a case in June in Cameron County. The person had ⁤spent time working outdoors, officials said. No other cases‍ have been detected in the state.

Florida officials also started reporting cases in June, in Sarasota County. The number​ of cases later climbed to seven.

Malaria is usually caused when people ⁣are bitten by mosquitoes that⁣ have been infected ⁤by certain parasites.