Malaria, a common tropical disease, has been found in at least two Erie County residents

At least two Erie County residents were diagnosed earlier this year with malaria, a mosquito-borne illness usually found in tropical climates.

Between one and four malaria cases were reported during both the first and second quarters of 2024, according to the Erie County Department of Health. One case was reported in 2023 and two cases in 2022.

Starting in 2024, county health department officials no longer report disease totals below five due to patient privacy concerns. They also declined to provide specific dates when the cases were reported.

A spokesman did say that none of the recent cases has resulted in a death, and that the people infected with malaria did not acquire the disease locally. They either were infected during overseas travel or moved here from a place where malaria is common.

The disease is found most commonly in sub-Saharan Africa, regions of South America and Southeast Asia, the CDC reported. Only about 2,000 of the estimated 249 million malaria cases a year are found in the United States.

About 600,000 people die from malaria each year, according to the CDC.

"Most cases found around here are people who travel," said Dr. Martin Vandort, a Saint Vincent Hospital infectious diseases specialist. "They travel to places where there is malaria and they don't take prophylaxis medicine."

Malaria is caused by a parasite that infects a certain type of mosquito that feeds on humans, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported on its website. It causes flu-like symptoms at first and can lead to a life-threatening infection if left untreated.

What are the most common symptoms of malaria?

Malaria symptoms can include:

• Fever and flu-like illness

• Chills

• Headache, muscle aches, and tiredness

• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea

Where in Erie can you receive preventative medicine for malaria?

Anyone who thinks they might have malaria should contact their health-care provider as soon as possible, the CDC recommended.

"If you plan to travel to a country in one of those regions, you can take certain medications to reduce your risk," Vandort said. "There are different medications, so it's important to talk with your health-care provider."

Travelers can receive prophylaxis medicine at the AHN International Travel Clinic, which is part of Infectious Diseases of Northwestern Pennsylvania, 2314 Sassafras St. Call 814-456-6194 to schedule an appointment.

Contact David Bruce at [email protected]. Follow him on X @ETNBruce.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie County Department of Health reports two malaria cases