Malaria was eliminated during the 1950s in the United States with the help of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Yet every year, approximately 1,500 cases of malaria are reported, mainly from returning sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia travelers.
According to the World Health Organization, in 2013 alone, 500,000 deaths were reported. A majority of those deaths were children from the African region. The biggest source of transmission are mosquitoes carrying malaria parasites. Malaria infected people experience fever, chills and flu-like symptoms.
Insecticide treated bed nets have proven effective. Most mosquitoes carrying malaria parasites feed at night while people sleep. The CDC is working to improve these nets because they do develop holes that reduce their efficiency. The CDC also explains many mosquitoes are becoming resistant to insecticides. Variations in their physiology stops the insecticides from harming or killing them. This problem has led to an increase of virus carrying mosquitoes.
The CDC has committed to:
- administer national malaria surveillance system
- investigate cases of locally transmitted malaria
- prevent malaria among international travelers
- consult with physicians and provide advice on diagnosis and treatment
- provide artesunate for severe cases and
- advice blood collection centers.
For more information, watch the following tour of the CDC Insectary where mosquitoes are bred for malaria research.
