Malaria Cases Reported in Southern U.S. for First Time in Two Decades

Five people in Florida and Texas recently contracted locally transmitted malaria according to officials.
The CDC issued a warning for healthcare providers to promptly diagnose and treat potential malaria cases given increased travel this summer.
Though the risk of malaria remains extremely low in the U.S., rising temperatures could increase mosquito-borne diseases.
Malaria is caused by parasites transmitted through the bites of infected Anopheles mosquitoes and causes symptoms like fever, chills, and nausea if left untreated.
Public health departments are ramping up mosquito control and prevention efforts in response while investigating the origin of these cases.