Activities in the United States

Malaria was eliminated as a major public health problem in the United States in the late 1940's. However, several hundred cases of malaria occur annually in the United States, mostly in returning travelers and immigrants ("imported" malaria). Anopheles mosquitoes capable of transmitting malaria ("vectors") exist in the United States. Thus, there is a constant risk that malaria transmission can resume in the United States.

CDC domestic activities include:

• Administering the national malaria surveillance system [PDF, 2 pages, 40.36 KB]
• Investigating instances of locally transmitted malaria (e.g., transfusion malaria)
• Preventing malaria among international travelers
• Consulting with clinicians – providing advice on the diagnosis and treatment of malaria in the United States
• Providing artesunate for the treatment of severe cases of malaria in the United States
• Advising blood collection centers

International Activities

Malaria remains a major health problem in developing countries. CDC has a long history of collaboration with Ministries of Health and other partners to fight malaria. CDC provides technical expertise in policy development, program guidance and support, scientific research, and monitoring and evaluation of progress toward Roll Back Malaria goals. CDC also conducts strategically targeted research to ensure that we are prepared to confront the changing face of malaria.

CDC continues to build on this base of strategically targeted research and program implementation through work on the President’s Malaria Initiative, an ambitious initiative designed to cut by half deaths due to malaria in 15 sub-Saharan Africa countries. USAID and CDC jointly implement this initiative.

More on: Malaria Worldwide

More on: CDC & The President's Malaria Initiative

Research

The CDC malaria research program aims to improve our understanding of malaria and to yield better methods for fighting the disease. Research often is performed in collaboration with other institutions and combines field and laboratory activities.

Field investigations provide insights in mechanisms of transmission and host responses. They often yield specimens that provide valuable information when studied further in laboratories in the United States and overseas.

The laboratories (augmented by insectaries and animal facilities) conduct more basic studies, whose findings can be in turn verified or expanded during field investigations. The CDC malaria research laboratories serve as a WHO Collaborating Center for malaria.

More on: CDC's Research on Tools For Tomorrow