Malaria Outbreak Fears: US CDC Issues Health Alert After Five Cases Reported in Texas, Florida
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a health alert after five cases of malaria were reported in Texas and Florida in the last two months.
Washington, June 27: The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a health alert after five cases of malaria were reported in Texas and Florida in the last two months. The alert was issued on Monday to doctors, public health authorities and members of the public, reports NBC News.
here is however, no evidence to suggest that this year's Florida and Texas cases are related, the CDC said, adding that the risk throughout the country remains extremely low. "Malaria is a medical emergency," the health body said, adding that all five patients have gotten treatment and are recovering. Last week, the Texas Department of State Health Services confirmed the detection of the malaria case in a person who had spent time working outdoors, NBC News reported.
The person had not traveled outside the country or state. The department advised Texas residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites by using insect repellant and wearing long sleeves and pants and further encouraged people to drain puddles, keep gutters clear, cover trash containers and regularly change the water in pet dishes and bird baths. Also on Monday, the Florida Department of Health issued a state-wide mosquito-borne illness advisory, adding that all the four cases were reported in Sarasota County. As the COVID-19 Emergency Ends, the U.S. Health System Will Change. Training Rules for ... - Latest Tweet by PolitiFact.
Before the Covid pandemic, the US saw around 2,000 cases of malaria each year, nearly all of which were detected in people who had traveled to other countries, the CDC said. Around 5 to 10 people died annually, it added.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 27, 2023 10:56 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).