Florida Issues Statewide Malaria Advisory

The Florida Department of Health today issued a statewide mosquito-borne illness advisory following four confirmed locally-acquired malaria cases in Sarasota County, which is located on Florida's west coast. 

In Florida, malaria is transmitted through infected Anopheles mosquitoes.

The cause of malaria in these cases has been identified as the Plasmodium vivax species. 

As of June 26, 2023, all locally-infected infected individuals have been treated and have recovered.

Twenty-three travel-related malaria cases have also been reported in Florida this year.

Countries of origin include but are not limited to, Burundi, Côte D'Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, and Kenya.

Effective treatment is readily available through hospitals and other healthcare providers. Individuals with symptoms of fever, chills, sweats, nausea/vomiting, and headache should seek immediate medical attention.

The DOH stated residents throughout the state should take precautions by applying bug spray, avoiding areas with high mosquito populations, and wearing long pants and shirts when possible, especially during sunrise and sunset when mosquitos are most active.

Florida continues statewide surveillance for mosquito-borne illnesses, including West Nile virus infections, Eastern equine encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, malaria, chikungunya, and dengue.

As of June 27, 2023, malaria vaccines are unavailable in Florida.

Note: This article was updated with international case data on June 28, 2023.