Malaria in the United States: What you need to know
Did you know that the CDC recently put out a warning regarding cases of malaria in the United States? Cases were diagnosed within Florida and Texas. While most cases of malaria diagnosed in the U.S. are acquired internationally in countries where the disease is more widespread, these cases in Florida and Texas were locally acquired, which means the individuals who contracted the disease were infected by mosquitos close to home.
In this video, infectious disease specialist Dr. Helmut Albrecht spoke with Prisma Health’s Rebecca Munnerlyn on malaria in the United States and what South Carolinians need to know, including:
- Common symptoms of malaria to watch for
- What happens if you have malaria and don’t treat it?
- Does malaria affect pregnant women differently?
- How common is malaria in the United States?
- What should you do if you have symptoms of malaria?
- Is West Nile virus similar to malaria?
- Are there different strains of malaria? Are some strains of malaria more dangerous than others?
- How are physicians reacting to the CDC’s warning on malaria?
Dr. Albrecht emphasized that malaria is not new to the South or the United States in general, but it is important to keep a localized outbreak from becoming entrenched or more widespread. If you show malaria symptoms and were recently bitten by a mosquito, it’s important to seek treatment right away.
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