Malaria in Florida - Manatee and Sarasota Counties

23 Jun 2023

The Florida Department of Health has reported two cases of locally-transmitted malaria in Manatee and Sarasota Counties since 26 May 2023. The first case was treated and has since recovered. The second case is still being treated.

Advice for Travellers

Malaria is a potentially serious infection transmitted to humans by mosquito bites. It is not usually transmitted in Florida or anywhere else in the USA. The risk is very low at this time.

If you are travelling to Florida, you should:

• understand your risk of malaria
• know how to protect yourself against mosquito bites at all times during your trip, to help prevent malaria and other mosquito-borne infections
• where possible, reduce the number of mosquitoes in and around your accommodation.

If you develop a high temperature (fever) during your trip, or after you return home from an area where malaria is a risk, seek medical advice as soon as possible and tell the doctor about your recent travel history.

See the fitfortravel malaria section for further information.