Florida issues statewide advisory after 4 confirmed malaria cases

In Sarasota County, Florida, new cases of malaria have been confirmed, prompting the issuance of a statewide advisory by the Florida Department of Health (FDOH).

The advisory states that four individuals in Sarasota County contracted malaria from the Plasmodium vivax species, which is the leading cause of the disease. Fortunately, all four patients received treatment and have since recovered. However, health officials are urging residents to take preventive measures to minimize the transmission of malaria by mosquitoes.

To achieve this, the FDOH recommends following the “Drain and Cover” guidelines to prevent mosquito breeding. These guidelines include the following:

Remove stagnant water from containers such as garbage cans, house gutters, and any other receptacles where water has accumulated.
Dispose of unused items like old tires, drums, bottles, cans, pots and pans, and broken appliances that can serve as breeding sites for mosquitoes.
Empty and clean birdbaths or outdoor water bowls at least once or twice a week.
Use non-pooling tarps on boats and vehicles to prevent water collection.
Maintain cleanliness and adequate chlorine levels in swimming pools. If you don’t use plastic swimming pools, empty them.
Install screens on doors and windows to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home.
Apply repellent regularly, especially those containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, 2-undecanone, and IR3535.

The FDOH informs that malaria in Florida is transmitted through Anopheles mosquitoes. Infected individuals commonly experience symptoms such as fever, chills, sweats, nausea/vomiting, and headaches. If you exhibit these symptoms following a mosquito bite, it is crucial to seek immediate medical evaluation.