Appendix for CDC Operational Guidance for Investigating Locally Acquired Mosquito-Transmitted Malaria — United States, 2026

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Examples of General Malaria Messaging

• Malaria is a mosquitoborne disease caused by a parasite. Persons with malaria often experience fever, chills, and flu-like illness. Severe complications and death can occur if left untreated.
• The United States reports approximately 2,000 cases of malaria each year. Most of these cases are travel-associated malaria (“imported” malaria) and occur in travelers returning from countries where malaria is still widespread (endemic).
• The Anopheles mosquitoes that transmit malaria are present across the United States. Areas with Anopheles mosquitoes and imported malaria cases are at higher risk for local malaria transmission.
• If a person in the United States already has malaria and is then bitten by an Anopheles mosquito, the mosquito can become infectious and could transmit the parasite to other persons in the area. The source of these locally acquired mosquito-transmitted malaria cases is likely related to an imported or travel-associated case of malaria.
• The most effective way to prevent malaria in the United States is to prevent mosquito bites and ensure early diagnosis and treatment of imported cases. Travelers to malaria-endemic areas should take recommended steps to prevent acquiring malaria while traveling, including taking medications to prevent malaria.

Potential Media Inquiry Questions

• When was the last time locally acquired (mosquito-transmitted) malaria was detected in my area or the United States?
• Should we (the community) be concerned?
• Where was the recent case?
• What can I do to prevent getting locally acquired (mosquito-transmitted) malaria? (How does it spread?)
• What are you doing to prevent the spread of locally acquired (mosquito-transmitted) malaria?
• What should someone do if they think they have malaria?
• How can we ensure the blood supply is safe?

Examples of Media Press Releases

• Florida Department of Health Issues Mosquito-Borne Illnesses Advisory | Florida Department of Health
• Maryland Department of Health Announces Positive Case of Locally Acquired Malaria | Maryland Department of Health
• Locally Acquired Malaria Identified in Arkansas | Arkansas Department of Health

Clinician Education and Outreach Resources

• Locally Acquired Malaria Cases Identified in the United States | CDC Health Alert Network
• Important Updates on Locally Acquired Malaria Cases Identified in Florida, Texas, and Maryland | CDC Health Alert Network
• Malaria 101 for the Healthcare Provider | CDC (Continuing Medical Education, Continuing Nursing Education, and Continuing Education Units are available)
• Review of Malaria Diagnosis and Treatment in the United States | CDC
• Clinical Guidance: Malaria Diagnosis & Treatment in the U.S. | CDC

Community Outreach Resources

• Malaria is a Serious Disease | CDC
• Malaria is a Serious Disease (in Spanish) | CDC
• Preventing Mosquito Bites | CDC

Locally Transmitted Malaria Outbreak Reports

• Outbreak of locally acquired mosquito-transmitted (autochthonous) malaria — Florida and Texas, May–July 2023 | CDC
• Notes from the field: locally acquired mosquito-transmitted (autochthonous) Plasmodium falciparum malaria — National Capital Region, Maryland, August 2023 | CDC
• Locally acquired (autochthonous) mosquito-transmitted Plasmodium vivax malaria — Saline County, Arkansas, September 2023 | CDC
• Locally acquired mosquito-transmitted malaria: a guide for investigations in the United States | CDC
• Public health response to the first locally acquired malaria outbreaks in the US in 20 years | JAMA Network
• Local transmission of Plasmodium vivax malaria — Palm Beach County, Florida, 2003 | CDC
• Local transmission of Plasmodium vivax malaria — Virginia, 2002 | CDC
• Probable locally acquired mosquito-transmitted Plasmodium vivax infection — Suffolk County, New York, 1999 | CDC
• Changing patterns of autochthonous malaria transmission in the United States: a review of recent outbreaks | CDC

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