The following is a message from FLHAN Everbridge System.
Four local cases of malaria (Plasmodium vivax) have been identified in Sarasota County. These cases have been treated and recovered. Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), increased international travel over the summer season may increase risk of malaria. Infected travelers bitten by vector mosquitoes can introduce malaria into local mosquito populations, which can result in malaria cases without travel.
Malaria is a serious and potentially fatal disease caused by any of four species of protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium. Infection with Plasmodium vivax are generally less severe but may result in chronic infection due to parasites remaining dormant in the liver. Suspected or confirmed malaria is a medical emergency and should be evaluated and managed urgently and aggressively.
Please contact your local health department by the next business day if you suspect a patient has malaria.
Resources: Florida Department of Health in Orange County, Epidemiology Program: 407-858-1420 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov/malaria/index.html Malaria 101 Training for Health Care Providers (CME): www.cdc.gov/parasites/cme/malaria/index.html CDC Malaria Hotline: (770) 488-7788 (M-F, 9am-5pm eastern), (770) 488-7100 (after hours)
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