New Jersey Health Officials Investigate Malaria Case

TRENTON, N.J. – The New Jersey Departments of Health (NJDOH) and Environmental Protection (NJDEP) are investigating a case of malaria in a Morris County resident with no international travel history. NJDOH is working closely with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to investigate potential sources of infection; it is possible the resident was infected with malaria in New Jersey.

If confirmed, this would be the first known locally acquired case of malaria in New Jersey since 1991. Although the Anopheles mosquitoes that transmit malaria are present in New Jersey, the risk of locally acquired malaria remains low, NJDOH said in a press release.

"While risk to the general public is low, it’s important to take the necessary precautions to prevent locally acquired malaria in New Jersey. The most effective ways are to prevent mosquito bites in the first place and to ensure early diagnosis and treatment of malaria in returning travelers,” said acting health commissioner Jeff Brown. “Anyone traveling to countries with widespread malaria should take appropriate steps to prevent malaria while traveling and monitor for symptoms.”

Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease caused by a parasite transmitted by certain mosquitoes and is widespread in many tropical and subtropical countries. There are about 100 travel-associated cases of malaria reported in New Jersey each year.

Summer and early fall months are peak times for other mosquito-borne diseases in New Jersey, including West Nile virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis, according to the press release.

Source: New Jersey Departments of Health