Florida woman with no travel history contracts malaria

[Ronan Kelly]

Jax Woman, 31, Contracts Malaria
Health Department: Woman Has No History Of International Travel

POSTED: Wednesday, December 1, 2010
UPDATED: 3:56 pm EST December 1, 2010

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Duval County Health Department said it has identified a case of malaria in a 31-year-old Jacksonville woman with no history of international travel. The woman is said to be recovering.

Health officials said an investigation is under way to determine whether this case of malaria was locally acquired. The Health Department said it is working with city of Jacksonville Mosquito Control, the Florida Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to better understand where the infection originated.

"At this moment in time, it does appear to be locally transmitted," epidemiologist Amber Barnes said. "You always want to remind people to be extra careful outside. This is Florida, and we do have mosquito activity throughout the year."

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continues at;
http://www.news4jax.com/health/25972349/detail.html

 

[jflorida]

Re: Florida woman with no travel history contracts malaria

There is some talk now of travel to the Midwest but Jacksonville, Fl is still the most likely site of infection, regardless, it is looking like the first US acquired case in 10 years.

Fiance: Malaria Possibly From Midwest

The fiance of a 31-year-old Jacksonville woman who contracted malaria said it's possible she was bitten by a mosquito carrying the disease locally, but he said it's also very possible she contracted the disease while on a trip to the Midwest.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Florida woman with no travel history contracts malaria

Source: http://staugustine.com/news/local-news/2010-12-02/experts-urge-caution-after-malaria-case

Experts urge caution after malaria case
Mosquito officials: Woman in Duval County contracted disease locally
Posted: December 3, 2010 - 12:00am

By JENNIFER EDWARDS

Mosquito control officials are advising St. Johns County residents to take extra precautions after a Duval County woman contracted malaria...

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Florida woman with no travel history contracts malaria

Excerpt from a blog of Bart Knols, a Dutch Mosquito and Malaria expert; his reaction on the Malaria case in Jacksonville.

Elimination and the risk of malaria coming back afterwards

Two factors will determine the likelihood of malaria returning: the frequency at which parasites are brought in, and the intrinsic potential for transmission (local vectors, ecology, social environment etc.). Apparently, 1300 introductions in the USA and the presence of competent anophelines there are not enough to kick-start malaria again.

But more is needed, and here is where the crux of the story lies: surveillance and a quick reaction force are key. A well functioning public health system is the key to keep malaria out once it is gone.

So the fear I heard at meetings was not so much the loss of immunity but merely the public health systems that would be insufficient to contain recurrence like that seen in Jacksonville this week. Is this an epidemiological issue? No. Is it a disease-related issue? No. Is it entomology? No. It is management.

Read more - Malariaworld