7th Malaria Case Reported In Sarasota: Florida Department Of Health

SARASOTA, FL — A new malaria case was confirmed in Sarasota County, bringing the total number of recent cases of the mosquito-borne illness in the area to seven, according to the Florida Department of Health.

The new cases were reported in the agency’s July 9-15, according to the weekly Florida Arbovirus Report.

The first malaria case was reported in the area in May and a mosquito-borne illness advisory, issued by FDOH, has been in place in Sarasota and Manatee counties since then.

Additional cases were reported in late June with the sixth case confirmed not long after that.

All of the initial four cases in the area were treated and have recovered, health officials said.

Since 1992, there've been 11 outbreaks involving malaria from mosquitoes in the U.S. The last one occurred in 2003 in Palm Beach County, Florida, where eight cases were reported.

The most common symptoms of malaria are fever, chills, sweats, headache, body aches, nausea, and vomiting. Symptoms typically start seven to 30 days after infection. Without treatment, severe malaria can be life-threatening and can cause disorientation, seizures and other neurological symptoms, anemia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and kidney damage.

Residents in the Sarasota area should take precautions, such as wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants, applying bug spray, and avoiding areas with high mosquito populations, especially during sunrise and sunset when mosquitoes are most active, the FDOH in Sarasota County said in a previous news release.

Malaria is not transmitted from person to person. Only infected Anopheles mosquitoes can transmit malaria to humans.

Treatment is available through hospitals and other health care providers. Individuals in this area with symptoms of fever, chills, sweats, nausea or vomiting, and a headache should seek immediate medical attention, FDOH said.

To help reduce the population of mosquitos, residents are asked to:

• Drain and cover areas around their home where water might accumulate.
• Drain pools of freshwater around the home and yard.
• Empty pet bowls, garbage cans, garbage can lids, bottles, tires and anything where freshwater has accumulated.

The agency offers the following tips for prevention of mosquito-borne illness:

• Use mosquito repellent that contains DEET (10 to 30 percent), picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, 2-undecanone or IR3535 on bare skin and clothing.
• Wear shoes, socks, and long sleeves and pants.Use mosquito netting to protect children less than 2 months old.
• Check and repair screens on doors and windows to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home.