Malaria in Maryland
Malaria is a life-threatening mosquito-borne disease caused by Plasmodium parasites. It remains one of the world's deadliest infectious diseases, causing hundreds of thousands of deaths annually, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa. Track Malaria activity and outbreaks specific to Maryland.
Open Web AppWhat is Malaria?
Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites transmitted through bites of infected Anopheles mosquitoes. In 2022, there were an estimated 249 million cases and 608,000 deaths globally. Despite being preventable and treatable, malaria continues to devastate communities, particularly affecting children under 5 and pregnant women in Africa.
Symptoms
- High fever and chills (often in cycles)
- Severe sweating
- Headache and body aches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fatigue and weakness
- Anemia (severe cases)
- Jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes)
- Confusion or seizures (cerebral malaria)
Transmission
Malaria is transmitted primarily through bites from infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. These mosquitoes typically bite between dusk and dawn. Transmission can also occur through blood transfusions, organ transplants, shared needles, or from mother to unborn child.
Contagious Period: Not directly contagious person-to-person; infectious to mosquitoes when parasites are present in blood (varies by species and treatment)
Prevention
- Take antimalarial medications when traveling to endemic areas (chemoprophylaxis)
- Sleep under insecticide-treated bed nets
- Use insect repellent containing DEET on exposed skin
- Wear long-sleeved clothing, especially after sunset
- Use indoor residual spraying with insecticides
- Eliminate standing water breeding sites
- Consider malaria vaccine in high-risk areas (children)
- Stay in air-conditioned or well-screened rooms
Maryland Health Resources
Local health department information and state-specific prevention guidance
We're Monitoring Maryland
Our AI-powered surveillance continuously monitors Malaria activity across Maryland. We track data from state health departments, local hospitals, CDC reports, and 50+ global health sources to provide early warning of emerging threats.
Get instant push notifications when Malaria activity increases in Maryland or your specific county.
Maryland Health Department
For official state health alerts, vaccination locations, and public health guidance specific to Maryland, visit your state health department's website.
Protecting Yourself in Maryland
Whether you live in Maryland, are traveling there, or have family in the state, understanding Malaria prevention is essential. Follow these evidence-based prevention measures:
Prevention Measures
- Take antimalarial medications when traveling to endemic areas (chemoprophylaxis)
- Sleep under insecticide-treated bed nets
- Use insect repellent containing DEET on exposed skin
- Wear long-sleeved clothing, especially after sunset
- Use indoor residual spraying with insecticides
- Eliminate standing water breeding sites
- Consider malaria vaccine in high-risk areas (children)
- Stay in air-conditioned or well-screened rooms
When to Seek Care
If you experience symptoms of Malaria in Maryland, contact your healthcare provider immediately. Early diagnosis and treatment improve outcomes significantly.
Emergency symptoms: If you experience severe symptoms, difficulty breathing, or signs of dehydration, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
Expert Resources & References
Trusted information from leading health organizations
CDC
Official guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
View CDC Resources →WHO
Global disease surveillance and guidelines from the World Health Organization
View WHO Resources →Medically Reviewed Content
Disease information on Virus Watcher is reviewed by our Chief Epidemiologist, a former CDC lead analyst for FluSight forecasting. Outbreak data is aggregated from verified sources including BEACON, ProMED, WHO, CDC, and 50+ national health agencies. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice.
Last reviewed: 2026-06-29
Recent Malaria Reports
No confirmed cases reported in Maryland yet. Here are the latest Malaria reports from our global surveillance network.
This event folder reports malaria cases in Malaysia. *Source: BEACON* - [View Full Report](https://beaconbio.org/en/event/?eventid=8043cf89-c377-43f2-a6ef-74fe3ee6b68a)
Nigeria has been urged to increase local production of anti-malaria drugs as experts warn that the country cannot eliminate the disease without ensuring consistent access to high-quality treatments. Speaking at a health programme in Lagos, experts said reliance on imports continu…
Guidance for Enhanced Investigation for Suspected Autochthonous Malaria Transmission Malaria cases with no recent travel to an endemic area (21,22) typically require an enhanced investigation. Enhanced investigation refers to public health surveillance activities beyond routine …
This event envelope contains reports on malaria in Mayotte. *Source: BEACON* - [View Full Report](https://beaconbio.org/en/event/?eventid=bca8ec7c-0225-4e56-bc7c-c712a6a01005)
This event envelope contains reports on malaria in Antigua and Barbuda. *Source: BEACON* - [View Full Report](https://beaconbio.org/en/event/?eventid=912b205b-853b-49da-8ac0-9660b3ecd373)
A wave of cuts to global health budgets in 2025 has impacted both our ability to ensure lifesaving tools reach those who need them - and our ability to develop new ones. Mosquitos and the malaria parasite have continued to build resistance to certain malaria interventions which w…
DAKAR, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Senegal has made significant progress in the fight against malaria, with 90 percent of its health districts now in the pre-elimination phase, a senior health official said Thursday. "Out of the country's 79 health districts, 90 percent are in pre-elimin…
Researchers at Durham University are reporting that dogs could be trained to sniff out malaria in people. While investigating ways to prevent the spread of the deadly disease, the experts found that dogs could identify the scent of malaria in samples of socks worn by infected chi…
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Malaria answered by our epidemiology team
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