Overview

• State and environmental health teams are working with the CDC to trace the source of a malaria infection in a Morris County resident.
• The individual reported no recent international travel, prompting testing to assess whether local Anopheles mosquitoes transmitted the parasite.
• If local transmission is confirmed, it would be New Jersey’s first reported locally acquired case since 1991, officials said.
• Acting Health Commissioner Jeff Brown said the risk to the general public remains low and urged prevention and early diagnosis in returning travelers.
• Guidance includes using EPA-registered repellent, wearing long sleeves, and eliminating standing water; New Jersey typically records about 100 travel-associated malaria cases each year.