New Jersey Suspects Native Malaria Case in Morris County — Vax-Before-Travel

As summer time attracts to an in depth in August 2025, tens of millions of beachgoers flock to New Jersey’s intensive shoreline. While many vacationers benefit from the waves and browsing on the shore, this 12 months, mosquito bites could turn into a well-liked matter of dialog.

According to information posted right now, the New Jersey Departments of Health (NJDOH) and Environmental Protection are investigating a case of malaria in a resident of Morris County with no worldwide journey historical past.

NJDOH wrote on August 18, 2025, that it’s doable the resident was contaminated by a virus-carrying mosquito with malaria in New Jersey.

If confirmed, this is able to be the primary recognized domestically acquired case of malaria in New Jersey since 1991.

“While risk to the general public is low, it’s important to take the necessary precautions to prevent locally acquired malaria in New Jersey. The most effective ways are to prevent mosquito bites in the first place and to ensure early diagnosis and treatment of malaria in returning travelers,” said Acting Health Commissioner Jeff Brown, in a press release.”

“Anyone traveling to countries with widespread malaria should take appropriate steps to prevent malaria while traveling and monitor for symptoms.”

Malaria is a mosquito-borne illness brought on by a parasite transmitted by sure mosquitoes and is widespread in lots of tropical and subtropical international locations.

For instance, the state of Florida has reported numerious travel-related malaria circumstances involving vacationers visiting Cuba in 2025.

While authorized to be used in Africa, malaria vaccines are presently unavailable within the United States.