Florida has issued a mosquito-borne illness alert after four people were confirmed that have locally contracted malaria in Sarasota County.

Malaria is usually picked up overseas and is responsible for more than half a million deaths yearly. But the fact that these cases were picked up right here in Florida is cause for concern.

“This is it; we had the spring with the high tides that came in and significant rain, so we have a lot of water on the ground and places for mosquitos to grow. That’s the nuts and bolts of it,” said Eric Jackson from the Lee County Mosquito Control District, as he explained calls for spraying are at a yearly high point.

Jackson also said that people will call them to check even if they don’t see mosquitos.

Those concerns come after four people in Florida and one in Texas were confirmed that locally contracted malaria, the notorious mosquito-borne parasite.

“I wouldn’t say that it changes the way that we do it; we target the kind of mosquito that spreads malaria; what it does is raises awareness; it reminds us…” Jackson said.

Dr. Ian Gosenhauser, the Chief Medical Officer for Lee Health, explained that most malaria cases they’ll treat are people who caught it overseas. That’s why a locally transmitted case is a big deal.

“Very big difference,” Dr. Gosenhauser said, “We actually regularly see a fairly high number of cases of people bringing malaria back from travel, but it’s those cases that happen here, that are transmitted here. That’s what we get excited about. We want to make sure we don’t see a burgeoning, growing disease like that here.”

It’s also important to recognize the symptoms.

Dr. Gosenhauser stated that the classic presentation of malaria in a 6 to 10-hour cycle is having a cold spell, then having a hot spell, and sweating.

Because while it is a deadly disease, here in the United States, it’s usually not fatal, so long as that person gets treatment.

“Because of the fevers, how severe they are, and the potential severity of that disease if it becomes more complicated, it just carries a lot of risk with it and can be fatal if not treated.” Dr. Gosenhauser said.

If you want to avoid getting malaria, all you have to do is avoid getting bitten in the first place.

“Long sleeves, stay away from standing water, remove standing water if you can, bug spray, anything you can do to keep away those nasty bug bites, is going to reduce your risk of getting malaria here in Florida.” Dr. Gosenhauser said.