A Maryland resident has been diagnosed with locally acquired malaria, as confirmed by the Maryland Department of Health. This case is concerning as the individual has not traveled abroad. The MDH disclosed the information in a press release.
The patient, who lives in the National Capital Region, was hospitalized and is currently in recovery. Notably, they have not traveled outside the United States or visited states within the country that have reported locally acquired malaria cases. This occurrence sheds light on the concerning issue of locally acquired malaria within the United States.
Previously, the Texas Department of State Health and Services reported one case of locally acquired malaria in June, and in July, Florida officials reported seven cases. These recent cases mark the first incidents of locally acquired malaria in the United States in the last 20 years.
Secretary Laura Herrera Scott of the Maryland Department of Health stated, “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.”
While locally acquired malaria remains rare in the United States, there are over 2,000 cases of malaria reported annually, mostly in individuals who have traveled abroad. It is important to note that the risk of locally acquired mosquito-transmitted malaria to the public remains very low, according to the MDH.
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