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The U.S. state of Arkansas has recorded its first instance of locally acquired malaria, making it the fourth state in the country to report cases of this highly dangerous infectious disease.
The Arkansas Department of Health confirmed this week that a resident of Saline County, Arkansas, contracted malaria locally and had not recently traveled abroad. This marks the sole known case of locally acquired malaria in Arkansas.
Though there have been five additional cases of malaria reported in Arkansas this year, all were acquired outside of the country, as stated by the state health department.
Several other cases of locally acquired malaria within the United States have been identified this year. Florida reported seven cases, while Texas and Maryland each reported one case, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Malaria is a disease transmitted by mosquitoes, caused by a parasite. Individuals with malaria commonly experience symptoms like fever, chills, and flu-like illness. Without proper treatment, it can lead to severe complications and even death.
In the United States, most cases of malaria are diagnosed in individuals who have recently traveled to countries where the disease is prevalent. However, it is important to note that cases of locally transmitted mosquito-borne malaria can still occur, as the Anopheles mosquito, which carries the parasite, is found throughout the United States, according to the CDC.
