The Salem City Health District is warning folks of a potential rise in imported Malaria cases expected in the summer of 2023.

According to a press release, the CDC is collaborating with two U.S. state health departments to investigate locally-acquired mosquito-transmitted Plasmodium Vivax Malaria cases.

Currently, there is no evidence to suggest that the cases in Florida and Texas are related to one another. Currently, there have been no reports of Melaria in Salem or its surrounding communities.

Malaria is a serious and potentially fatal disease caused by a protozoan parasite of the genus Plasmodium. Most cases in the U.S. are imported and occur in people traveling from countries with Malaria transmission such as sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

Symptoms include fever, chills, headache, myalgias, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. If not treated, Malaria may progress to severe disease, a life-threatening stage in which mental status changes, seizures, renal failure, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and coma.

Salem City Health and the CDC have provided the following steps to take steps to control the mosquito population in your home and prevent mosquito-borne illness.

- Use insect repellent

- Cover exposed skin with long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks, etc. to minimize mosquito exposure

- Sleep under mosquito nets appropriately treated with insecticides.

- Eliminate mosquito breeding sites. Empty, clean, or cover any containers or areas holding standing water to prevent breeding

- Take antimalarial medications

- Stay in air-conditioned or screened accommodations

- Be aware of symptoms