Floridians are preparing for one more danger this summer after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported local mosquitoes carrying malaria for the first time in 20 years.
This week, the CDC sent out an alert warning of a potential rise in malaria after four people in Florida and one person in Texas tested positive for the disease.
With over 600,000 deaths a year being caused by malaria worldwide, experts say the risk in the U.S. is still low, but it is higher in warmer and wetter climates like Florida.
“[It] really provides a fantastic environment for the mosquitoes to get out and about and enjoy the daily hunt for humans,” said Conor McMeniman, a researcher at Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute.
The CDC is collaborating with Florida and Texas health departments and is carrying out active mosquito surveillance and control measures in the affected areas. They are also advising local health providers and public health officials on how to handle more malaria cases.
