Following the recent discovery of two additional instances of the mosquito-borne illness, Florida issued a malaria notice in a number of counties. There have been locally contracted cases in the U.S. for the first time in 20 years.

Two new locally acquired cases of malaria were discovered in Sarasota County during the week ending July 1 according to the Florida Department of Health. According to the Miami Herald, there are already six cases within the state, all of those occurring in Sarasota County.

A mosquito-borne disease advisory and an alert were issued by the Florida Dept. of Health affecting the counties of Manatee, Miami-Dade, and Sarasota, as well as Orange, Polk, and Walton.

A case of locally developed malaria was recently reported from Texas.

According to CNN, “The Texas Dept. of State Health Services stated this week that while they are still aware of just one case of malaria there, they are still keeping an eye out for additional cases.”

Texas health authorities are keeping an eye out for malaria in the area’s mosquito population.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these instances of locally developed malaria are the first to occur in the United States in the previous 20 years.

“CDC is working with two state health departments in the United States on continuing investigations of instances of locally obtained Plasmodium vivax malaria.” According to the CDC, “there is no evidence to support a connection between the instances in Florida and Texas.”

Each year, about 2,000 cases of malaria are identified in the United States, although these instances nearly invariably involve residents of the nation or immigrants who have recently traveled to a country where the disease is present. Annually, up to 10 Americans perish from the mosquito-borne illness severe malaria, which affects around 300 Americans.

In predominantly tropical locations, certain species of mosquitoes transmit the illness of malaria to people. Although the illness might be fatal, it can be avoided and treated. Nausea, throwing up, headaches, fever, perspiration, and chills are some of the symptoms.

According to the World Health Organization:

“Malaria is mostly transmitted to humans from the bites of female Anopheles mosquitoes that are infected. Malaria can also be spread through infected needles and blood transfusions. The initial signs of malaria may be difficult to identify since they may be mild and comparable to those of many febrile disorders. If P. falciparum malaria is not treated, it can lead to severe sickness and death within 24 hours.”