U.S. officials tracking malaria outbreak in Florida and Texas, first locally acquired cases in decades

Seven cases of locally transmitted malaria have been reported across Florida and Texas, marking the first U.S. instances of locally acquired malaria since 2003.
While the CDC says the risk of wider transmission remains low, counties in Florida and Texas are on alert.
The CDC is investigating the outbreak in collaboration with state health departments to determine the source, though officials suspect infected individuals returned from abroad with mild or no symptoms and local mosquitoes then spread the disease.
Though the U.S. has the means to contain malaria outbreaks, not all areas have robust enough infrastructure to properly track and mitigate the disease.
Officials urge vigilance, early testing and treatment, and preventive measures like mosquito control and medication to curb further spread.