NJ officials investigate case of malaria in resident with no recent international travel
MORRIS COUNTY (WABC) -- New Jersey health officials are investigating a case of malaria in Morris County with no international travel.
The New Jersey Department of Health is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to investigate potential sources of infection. Officials say it is possible the resident was infected with malaria in New Jersey.
If confirmed, this would be the first known locally acquired case of malaria in the state since 1991.
It comes a few weeks after a local health department in Washington State was investigating an unrelated malaria case in a person who also did not travel internationally.
Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease caused by a parasite transmitted by certain mosquitoes and is widespread in many tropical and subtropical countries. Malaria typically causes fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue. It can also cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Malaria does not regularly spread in the U.S. While there are about 2,000 cases nationally reported each year, most of these cases are in people who traveled internationally.
People do not spread malaria to other people. It is possible that people who were infected abroad were bitten by a mosquito that subsequently bit others without a history of international travel.
Hot, humid summers create breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Residents in Morris County hope this is an isolated incident.
"I don't think there's malaria in New Jersey I think we're OK," resident Erica Peterson said.
Infectious disease experts say this one single case should not cause panic but is good to be aware.
"A mosquito living here would have bitten sombody who had malaria who acquired it from overseas and then transmitted it to another individual who was living here," Dr. Jason Kessler with Morristown Medical Center said.
There are about 100 travel-associated cases of malaria reported in New Jersey each year.
"CDC is monitoring this situation closely to support the state and county health departments, as requested," a statement from HHS said.
The health department says there is a type of mosquito in New Jersey that carries malaria, but says the risk of infection remains low.
"While risk to the general public is low, it's important to take the necessary precautions to prevent locally acquired malaria in New Jersey. The most effective ways are to prevent mosquito bites in the first place and to ensure early diagnosis and treatment of malaria in returning travelers," said Acting Health Commissioner Jeff Brown.
Mosquito spraying took place near George Gramby Memorial park Monday night as a way to control the spread of mosquito illnesses such as West Nile Virus or Eastern Equine Encephalitis.
"I would say if I saw more of those I would be concerned. I'm not going to lose my mind over just one but I definitely want to hear more about it," Morristown resident Christina Previte said.
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