I’ve lived in Texas my entire life, so you can bet I’ve seen my fair share of mosquitos. If you’re also a native Texan (or have spent a fair amount of time here), then you’re probably also accustomed to the buzzy, bothersome insects. Mosquitos are usually just a nuisance, but a recent locally-contracted malaria case in Texas illuminates their dark side. Here is everything you need to know about the case (and the illness):

On Friday, June 23, the Texas Department of State Health Services reported the first locally-contracted case of malaria in Texas since 1994.
DenisTangneyJr / iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
The patient is a resident of Cameron County, which is the southernmost county in the state.
While over 100 malaria cases are reported in Texas each year, they are almost always travel-related.
Kathrin Ziegler / DigitalVision via Getty Images
This means the infection is acquired outside of Texas (usually in another country) and brought back to the state via air travel.
Malaria is a disease caused by a parasite and is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito.
Wikimedia Commons Jim Gathany - This media comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Public Health Image Library (PHIL), with identification number #5814.

Related Stories

There's A Deadly Plant Growing In Texas Yards That Looks Like A Harmless Weed

There's A Deadly Plant Growing In Texas Yards That Looks Like A Harmless Weed

 Here Are The 10 Most Dangerous Towns In Texas To Live In

Here Are The 10 Most Dangerous Towns In Texas To Live In

 You Might Be Surprised To Hear The Predictions About Texas' Damp And Cold Upcoming Winter

You Might Be Surprised To Hear The Predictions About Texas' Damp And Cold Upcoming Winter
Although only a certain type of mosquito hosts the parasite that causes malaria, the more mosquitos an area has, the higher the chance of transmission becomes.
Wikimedia Commons NIAID - Malaria Parasite Connecting to Human Red Blood Cell
This past winter was warm and wet, which creates the perfect conditions for mosquitos to breed at a rapid pace.
Symptoms of malaria typically begin 7-30 days after infection. They are generally flu-like, ranging from fever and chills to body aches, nausea, and vomiting.
Wikimedia Commons Häggström, Mikael (2014). "Medical gallery of Mikael Häggström 2014". WikiJournal of Medicine 1 (2). DOI:10.15347/wjm/2014.008. ISSN 2002-4436
Untreated, malaria can be life-threatening and lead to kidney damage, anemia, seizures, and respiratory distress.
The best way to protect yourself from malaria is to wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and thick socks when outdoors (especially at night), wear EPA-registered insect repellents, and keep doors and windows shut.
Jordan Siemens / DigitalVision via Getty Images

What are your thoughts about this malaria case in Texas? Tell us in the comments section. If you need ideas for what to bring (and what to wear) on your hiking excursions to stay protected from mosquitos, give our official hiking packing list a read.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Related Articles

Explore Texas