Sarasota's Malaria Outbreak Becomes Serious

The Florida Department of Health (DOH) in Sarasota and Manatee Counties recently confirmed a second locally-acquired malaria case.

As of June 19, 2023, this patient was being treated for this mosquito-cause infection.

This case has been identified as the P. vivax malaria species, which is not as fatal as other species.

In response, a mosquito-borne illness alert was issued for Sarasota and Manatee counties.

On May 26, 2023, DOH released information on the first confirmed local malaria case, who was treated and recovered.

Effective treatment is readily available through Florida hospitals and other healthcare providers.

The Florida Department of Health confirmed aerial and ground mosquito spraying is being conducted in these counties to mitigate the risk of further transmission.

Malaria is not transmitted from person to person.

Only infected Anopheles mosquitoes can transmit malaria to humans.

Malaria infects approximately 219 million people each year, with an estimated 660,000 deaths, mostly children in Africa. 

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently stated the risk of locally acquired malaria in the U.S. is extremely low. 

About 2,000 malaria cases are diagnosed annually in the U.S., most in international travelers.

However, Florida has had malaria outbreaks in the past.

In 2003, eight locally acquired P. vivax malaria cases were reported in Palm Beach County, FL. 

From a prevention perspective, malaria vaccines have already been approved.

The World Health Organization recommended the Mosquirix™ malaria vaccine in 2021, and the R21/Matrix-M™ vaccine was approved for use in Africa in 2023.