Transmission of Plasmodium vivax malaria - San Diego County, California, 1988 and 1989
Article Abstract:
Malaria is rarely transmitted within the United States. Since 1950, 21 outbreaks of malaria have occurred in the US; all were attributed to the causative organism Plasmodium vivax. The majority of outbreaks (14) occurred in California, and four of these were located in San Diego County. The 1988 outbreak in San Diego County affected 30 persons, making it the largest outbreak in the US since 1952; the 1986 outbreak was almost as big, affecting 28 persons. The various outbreaks in San Diego County had several features in common. Most of the patients were migrant workers, but several local residents were infected as well. Malaria was not diagnosed and treated promptly in the migrant workers, because they had limited access to health care. As a consequence the initiation of infection control measures was delayed. The migrant workers also did not have adequate clean water, shelter, and waste water disposal facilities. The vector for transmitting malaria, the Anopheles mosquito, was present in the area. It was not clear where the mosquitoes initially obtained the infection, but it may have been from other agricultural workers in the region who came from countries where malaria is endemic. There may have been additional outbreaks of malaria that were not identified because of the difficulty migrant workers have in reaching health care facilities. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1990
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Local transmission of Plasmodium vivax malaria - Houston, Texas, 1994
Article Abstract:
Three of the 24 cases of malaria reported in Houston, Texas in the summer of 1994 were related to local mosquito transmission. All others were attributed to foreign travel in countries where malaria is prevalent. The three Houston men who acquired Plasmodium vivax malaria either worked outdoors at night or slept in houses without screens on the windows and doors. A year earlier, a local outbreak occurred in New York City. The potential for further malaria transmission exists in the U.S. because of international migration and travel. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting and fever. Cases of malaria should be reported promptly to the county health department so control measures can be implemented. Primaquine and chloroquine are the primary drug treatments.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1995
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Local transmission of Plasmodium vivax malaria -- Palm Beach County, Florida, 2003
Article Abstract:
The first large outbreak of malaria in the US since 1986 is reported. It affected seven people in Palm Beach County, Florida between July and August, 2003. None had traveled to any country where malaria is common but all seven lived within 10 miles of Palm Beach International Airport. International travelers and migrant workers are the most likely source of the outbreak.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 2003
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