Malaria Cases on the Rise in the USA : Key Information on Transmission, Symptoms, and Treatment

Two recent malaria cases were reported in Florida, USA, marking the first local transmission within the country since 2003. This alarming development, noted by The Staten Island Advance, has prompted the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to issue a health advisory warning. To shed light on this concerning situation, it is important to delve into how malaria spreads, its symptoms, and the necessary treatment.

1. Malaria Transmission: How Does It Spread? Malaria is a severe disease primarily transmitted through the bite of infected female tropical mosquitoes. In rare cases, it can also be transmitted from a mother to her fetus, through blood transfusion, organ transplantation, or unsafe needle-sharing practices.

2. Recognizing Malaria Symptoms Common symptoms of malaria include fever, chills, headache, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. Additionally, malaria can cause anemia and jaundice due to the loss of red blood cells.

3. Onset of Symptoms: When to Be Alert According to health experts, malaria symptoms typically manifest within 10 days to four weeks after infection. However, the disease can also present itself as early as seven days or as late as one year following a mosquito bite. It is crucial to seek immediate treatment, as delays can lead to severe complications such as kidney failure, seizures, mental confusion, coma, and even death.

4. Treatment Approaches: Addressing the Parasite The recent US cases were caused by the P. vivax parasite, which is less lethal compared to other malaria-causing parasites. However, P. vivax can lie dormant in the liver, leading to chronic infections months or even years after the initial illness.

Typically, doctors prescribe two treatments for P. vivax malaria: one to kill the parasite in the bloodstream and another to target the parasite in the liver. The first-line treatment often involves antimalarial drugs such as chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine, as reported by The Staten Island Advance.

5. Global Impact: Malaria Cases Worldwide Annually, approximately 240 million malaria cases occur worldwide, with the majority happening in Africa. In the US, most cases are associated with travel from countries with active malaria transmission, resulting in around 200 cases and five to ten deaths each year.

The World Malaria Report 2019 highlights India's representation of 3% of the global malaria burden. The report also emphasizes a reduction of 49% in reported malaria cases and 50.5% in deaths in India compared to 2017.

Understanding the transmission, symptoms, and treatment of malaria is crucial in combating its resurgence. Stay informed, take preventive measures, and seek medical attention if you experience any symptoms or have a history of exposure to malaria. Together, we can work towards preventing the spread of malaria and safeguarding public health.

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• malaria
 
• transmission
 
• symptoms
 
• treatment
 
• Florida
 
• CDC
 
• P. vivax
 
• parasite
 
• global impact
 
• prevention