U.S. Malaria Cases Highest Since 1971

Malaria cases diagnosed in the United States reached a 40-year high in 2011, health officials report. Almost all were acquired while traveling in countries where malaria is common. Malaria symptoms often don’t occur until weeks later. That’s why people were diagnosed after they got home. In all, 1,925 cases were reported in 2011. That was the largest number since 1971. Cases increased 14% compared with 2010. Five people died. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported the numbers. Nearly 70% of the cases were acquired in Africa. Nearly two-thirds of those came from West Africa. India was the source of the largest number of infections acquired in a single country. Few of the Americans diagnosed with malaria had taken malaria-prevention medicines while traveling. HealthDay News wrote about the report October 31.