Global Courant
Two people have been surprisingly infected with the tropical disease malaria in South Florida, as doctors say there may be more cases as it is believed to come from infected mosquitoes that have bitten the subjects.
The individuals diagnosed were in Sarasota County, discovered between June 25 and July 1, local health authorities reported.
The development brings the total number of unexplained malaria cases to seven this year in the US, with four more in Florida and one in Texas.
Officials say the disease comes from native mosquitoes that already carry the disease and spread it by biting people.
Sarasota and neighboring Manatee County, with about 859,000 residents, have been on malaria alert since June 19.
Authorities say that in order to deal with the situation, spraying is being carried out in coastal areas, while residents are being urged to take protective measures or avoid places with stagnant water or vegetation where infected mosquitoes can find a breeding ground.
Although malaria was reported to have been eradicated from the US in 1951, sporadic cases have appeared from time to time causing problems and panic.
Some experts say that this spread may come from ‘global warming’ but the phenomenon may have other causes such as transport by infected persons, biological or bacteriological attacks.
Malaria originated in Africa and is related to the Nile Virus or Zika virus that appeared in the US previously in 2013 and in 2016.
Malaria can be life-threatening if not treated with antiparasitic medications such as hydroxychloroquine, writes the Daily Mail.
Global Courantl
