A woman with malaria in Washington may be the first local acquired condition for the state

Washington state officials revealed that a Local women have been diagnosed With malaria, which, if confirmed, will include the first known case of the disease obtained in the state.

A woman was diagnosed with malaria, a disease transmitted by mosquitoes caused by a parasite, on August 2, according to officials. Federal and state public health agencies are working to confirm the source of the infection, according to a statement published on Wednesday.

Officials believe that the infection may be transmitted by mosquitoes that already passed by someone who has a state of malaria associated with travel. The woman is currently receiving treatment and is closely monitored. Symptoms of the disease include fever, chills, body pain, fatigue, vomiting, and diarrhea. It may take up to 30 days until the affected person begins to show symptoms.

Malaria cases in the United States are usually linked to travel-on the occasion of relations with sub-Saharan African countries-the United States is not in effect, the United States is effective. Eliminate malaria in the fifties Thanks to aggressive control measures, including pesticides and drainage improvement. But mosquitoes that transmit malaria live all over the country: if they bite a person with the disease, the insects can transmit the parasite that causes malaria to other people in the region.

Between 20 to 70 cases of malaria are recorded in Washington every year, and there are usually about 2000 cases annually throughout the United States, according to official estimates. While many of them are linked to travel, there was a modern rise in locally acquired infections.

In 2023, the United States witnessed the first case of malaria to be acquired locally in 20 years. Between May and October of that year, 10 such cases were reported throughout Florida, Texas, Maryland and Arkansas.

Climate change may lead to the incidence of local malaria infections: the parasite that causes malaria needs warm temperatures, and Research indicates More cases of disease can arise in the former malaria -free areas as the planet’s temperature rises.

The United States was historical The nation of donors For global efforts to combat malaria, According to the non -profit Heelfh KFF. However, these initiatives achieved great success when the Trump administration reduced the country’s foreign aid programs earlier this year, including most of the Malaria President’s initiative – the United States Agency for International Development Program in 2005 focuses on malaria reduction in countries where the disease is settler.

As part of the Washington investigation, officials are working with the US Department of Health to trap and test mosquitoes. Local authorities confirmed that people in the state area where women were still at risk of malaria.

“The risk of developing malaria in Pierce Province is still very low,” said James Miller, a health official in Takoma Persians, in A. statement. “Malaria is a rare disease in the United States – and the vast majority of cases in the United States occurs after exposure in countries with continuous transition.”