Bringing Malaria to the United States

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QUESTION

I was recently diagnosed with Malaria still waiting to find out what strand, but either got it in Uganda or Rwanda. I have recently came back to the states and have been bit by mosquito. I have already started to take some medication for it, but I am concerned about spreading the virus to others in the states including my family. Is it possible that if I still have the infection to spread it to others or in the states? If so what should I do.

ANSWER

There actually used to be malaria in the United States, particularly in the southern areas, but concerted mosquito control efforts as well as public health initiatives eradicated it in the 1950s. I don’t think you need to worry too much about transmitting malaria—once you are on treatment, the number of parasites in your blood drops dramatically and it becomes more difficult to transmit the parasite to a mosquito. Also, there are lots of types of mosquitoes in the US, and only those of the genus Anopheles can transmit malaria. As such, if you are concerned about spreading malaria, you should take precautions to protect yourself from mosquitoes especially at night and at dusk and dawn, as this is when Anopheles mosquitoes are most active. The type of mosquitoes which bite during the day usually belong to the genus Aedes, and cannot transmit malaria. During these high risk times of day, you should take care to wear long-sleeved clothing, and also wear insect repellent, preferably containing DEET.

Mosquitoes Transmission via Feces

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QUESTION

Can a mosquito give you malaria after having being on an infected person’s feces?

ANSWER

No. Malaria can only be transmitted via blood. As such, transmission via mosquitoes occurs when a mosquito feeds on the blood of an infected person, then bites someone who is not infected, and transfers the malaria parasite in the bite (this cannot happen straight away – the malaria parasite has to undergo some changes in the mosquito first).

Structure and Size of Malaria Mosquito

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QUESTION

What is the structure and size of the mosquito?

ANSWER

The mosquitoes that transmit human malaria belong to the genus Anopheles. As such, they follow the general body plan structure of a flying insect—three segments (head, thorax and abdomen), three pairs of legs and two pairs of wings. Anopheles females have modified mouthparts that allow them to feed on blood, by inserting a specialized proboscis into the skin; male Anopheles feed on nectar and so do not possess the same type of mouthparts.

The size of the adult mosquito varies on factors such as the exact species, the larval environment and food availability, but the length of the body is rarely greater than 16mm and the total weight is usually less than 2.5 milligrams.

Anopheles Mosquito

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QUESTION

What does Anopheles looks like?

ANSWER

Mosquitoes of the genus Anopheles are responsible for all transmission of malaria in mammals, including to humans. They are night-feeding mosquitoes, usually biting between dusk and dawn, though they may also be active during the day in heavily shaded environments.

Like all mosquitoes, Anopheles are usually found either as freshwater larvae, which prefer stagnant, still water, or flying adults, of which only the females feed on blood (the males exclusively feed on nectar).  Anopheles larvae lie parallel to the surface of the water where they live (in contrast to Aedes and Culex larvae which hang at an angle), whereas the adults rest with their bodies at a 45 degree angle upwards (again in contrast to Aedes and Culex adults, which rest parallel to their resting surface).