For the First Time in 20 Years: America Records First Cases of Malaria

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced on Monday that five confirmed cases of malaria have been reported in Florida and Texas, marking the first time in 20 years that local cases of the mosquito-borne and potentially fatal disease have occurred in the United States. The CDC noted that four cases were identified in Florida, along with one case in Texas, over the course of two months. In a warning issued on Monday, the CDC stated that malaria is a medical emergency and anyone showing symptoms should be "promptly tested." However, it emphasized that the risk of contracting malaria remains low in the United States, as most cases are acquired when individuals travel abroad, with 95% of malaria cases occurring in Africa.