Experts say there’s a “small chance” malaria cases will spread to Utah

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SALT LAKE CITY — On Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced five cases of malaria in the US, but what does this mean for Utahns?

The CDC said the four cases in Florida and the case in Texas is the first time in 20 years he parasitic disease has entered the United States.

Only three species of mosquito out of thousands can transmit malaria, said Michele Rehbein of the Salt Lake City Reduction District. The species lives in Utah; however, she said there aren’t many of them.

“The anopheles mosquitoes that we have here that are collected locally don’t transmit malaria, so you don’t have it circulating in your wild population,” Rehbein said.

Abatement District specialists said there is a small chance that Utahns could contract malaria because of where infected mosquitoes reside.

“Infected mosquitoes would have to travel a very long distance to get to Utah, and that’s not going to happen,” Rehbein explained.

But what if Utahns travel to places infected with malaria? That’s where the risk lies, said Greg White, deputy director of the Salt Lake City Abatement District.

“Malaria is quite widespread in the tropics of the world, so they have it in Africa, they have it in Asia, they have it in South America,” White said.

🦟 Right now the CDC is tracking 5 malaria cases in the US 4 in Florida, 1 in Texas. But could he make it to Utah? It’s possible. I talk to the experts about how Utahns could get it.
my story for @KSL5TV at 6. pic.twitter.com/YIpdv0uwpy

– Shelby Lofton (@noticiasconShelby) June 28, 2023

White said that if a Utahn were to travel to any of those places, that’s where the main risk would be.

“Before you go there, they will give you the correct medicines to take to prevent and stop any infection like malaria,” he said.

However, it is still worrisome that cases are emerging in the US after so many years, White said. “Malaria was a big part of the US from its founding until the 1950s when we controlled it, and in Africa it’s still a major problem.”

The district does not test for malaria, but does have methods to track the locations of the species.

Two Utah scientists are working in Mali, Africa right now to help reduce malaria. It is the first time that SLC’s mosquito control techniques have been put into practice there.

Tonight in @KSL5TV @ 6:30 you will hear from them about their efforts. pic.twitter.com/s1MU4mToo4

—Erin Cox (@erincoxnews) June 21, 2023

“We can flag in case we need to take some kind of preventative measure,” Rehbein said. “There’s no need to panic.”

“I don’t think malaria is going to be a problem here in Utah,” White added.

As for mosquitoes in 2023, the district said they are getting more nuisance calls this year compared to last. They report that mosquito populations are a bit worse and remind everyone to get rid of standing water to keep them away.

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