Malaria cases in Florida and Texas are the first US spread in 20 years according to the CDC

July 26, 2023 – The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently issued a Health Advisory notifying the public of locally transmitted Plasmodium vivax malaria cases in the states of Florida and Texas. Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease caused by a parasite. Malaria is a serious and potentially fatal disease and is transmitted through the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito. The signs and symptoms of malaria include fever, chills, excess sweating, fatigue, headaches and nausea. About 2,000 US cases of malaria are diagnosed each

Social media content on the importance of eliminating mosquito breeding sites.

year – the vast majority in travelers coming from countries where malaria commonly spreads.

The United States is a popular destination for many Turks and Caicos Islanders, especially Florida, additionally, it is also one of the major gateway ports for tourists to enter the TCI. Though the risk of transmission is still extremely low, the Ministry of Health and Human Services along with the Environmental Health Department is encouraging all residents to take extra precautions this summer, more so if traveling to one of the states mentioned above. 

Although the mosquito which spreads malaria is not present in the TCI, the Aedes Ageypti mosquito is present and can spread dengue, chikungunya and Zika.

You can protect yourself and your communities from mosquito-borne diseases by doing the following:

Personal Protection

• Wear suitable clothing such as long pants and shirts with long sleeves when venturing into areas where mosquitoes are known to be present.
• Apply mosquito repellent to exposed skin. Effective repellents are those that contain ingredients DEET, oil of lemon eucalyptus, picaridin, para menthane-diol, 2-undecanone, or IR3535.
• Ensure that screens in windows and doors are in good repair to deny mosquitoes access to your home.

Prevention of Mosquito Breeding

• Remove all debris and containers that can potentially collect water from around your property e.g., old tires, bottles, cans, pots, coolers and old appliances.
• Drain or treat any standing water that may exist around your property. Pet water bowls should be emptied and cleaned at least once a week. Water drums and other water-holding vessels that are not to be used for consumption purposes can be treated with cooking oil or any other environmentally friendly oil. Report standing water that cannot be self-treated to the Environmental Health Department.
• Tightly cover water-holding containers like drums and kiddy pools to prevent mosquito access.
• Cover boats, vehicles and tires with tarps to prevent water accumulation.

The MOH and EHD will continue to closely monitor the situation and update the public accordingly. For further information or assistance please contact the Ministry of Health and Human Services at tel. 1-649-338-3055/5263 or the Environmental Health Department at Tel. 1-649-338-2143/2144.