Malaria, 2019

Malaria is a febrile illness caused by several protozoan species in the genus Plasmodium. The parasite is transmitted to humans by bites from infected Anopheles genus mosquitoes. The risk of malaria is highest in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. Although local transmission of malaria frequently occurred in Minnesota over 100 years ago, all of the cases reported in Minnesota residents in recent years have been imported infections acquired abroad.

In 2019, 77 cases (1.4 per 100,000 population) were reported. Sixty-four (83%) cases were identified with P. falciparum, 5 (7%) with P. vivax, 3 (4%) with P. ovale, 3 (4%) with P. malariae and 1 (1%) with mixed Plasmodium species infection. In 1 case, the species was unable to be determined. The median age of cases was 37 years (range, 4 to 75). Of the 68 cases with known race, 68 (81%) were black, 3 (4%) were white and 3 (4%) were Asian. Seventy-five cases were Minnesota residents at the time of their illness, 56 (75%) of which resided in the metropolitan area. Of the 59 cases with known country of birth, 6 (8%) were born in the United States. 74 (96%) cases likely acquired malaria in Africa, and 1 patient reported travel to Central America. Exposure information was not available for 2 cases. Seventeen countries were considered possible exposure locations for malaria infections, including Liberia (19), Nigeria (13), Kenya (9), Sierra Leone (7), and Cameroon (5) as well as several other countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

• Find up to date information at>> Malaria
• Full issue>> Annual Summary of Communicable Diseases Reported to the Minnesota Department of Health, 2019