MALARIA – AMERICAS (14): USA (ARKANSAS) AUTOCHTHONOUS
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International Society for Infectious Diseases
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Date: Wed 4 Oct 2023 16:10 CDT
Source: KARK 4 News [edited]
https://www.kark.com/news/health/arkansas-department-of-health-identifies-case-of-locally-acquired-malaria-in-saline-county/
State officials said a central Arkansas resident has recently
contracted a locally acquired case of malaria.
On Wednesday [4 Oct 2023], Department of Health (ADH) officials said
the case of locally acquired malaria was identified in a patient from
Saline County and noted that the individual has not traveled out of
the country.
ADH officials said this is the only known locally acquired case of
malaria in Arkansas. Only 9 other locally acquired cases were reported
in the United States this year [2023].
Five other cases of malaria have been reported in Arkansas this year,
but in those cases, according to the ADH, the disease was contracted
outside the country.
Experts at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explained
that malaria is a mosquito-borne disease that led to an estimated 627
000 deaths in 2020. Symptoms include fever, shaking chills, sweating,
headache, body aches, nausea and vomiting, which start up to 30 days
after infection.
Officials with the ADH said individuals can take precautions against
malaria by using bug repellant, avoiding areas with high mosquito
populations and wearing long pants and shirts when possible.