The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an alert this week after the spread of malaria occurred within the United States for the first time in 20 years.
Four cases of malaria, caused by the plasmodium parasite, were detected in Florida, according to a CDC health alert issued Monday. Another case was found in Texas, it said.
The disease is caused by a parasite that spreads via mosquito bites, with the largest number of deaths occurring in tropical places—namely sub-Saharan Africa. Symptoms include chills, fever, tiredness, headache, muscle aches, vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea, while anemia and jaundice—a yellowing of the skin and eyes—may also occur….