Malaria Risk in New Jersey
New Jersey is not a malaria-endemic state. The disease is not transmitted by local mosquitoes in the region. Cases that occur are almost always imported, meaning they are acquired during international travel.
How Malaria Reaches New Jersey
Residents and travelers can bring malaria into the state after visiting areas where the disease is common, particularly parts of sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. In rare situations, a local mosquito can bite an infected person and transmit the parasite to another person, but sustained local transmission is extremely uncommon in New Jersey.
Prevention and Medical Guidance
Travelers to malaria-risk countries should take prescribed antimalarial medication, use EPA-approved insect repellent, and sleep under bed nets when needed. If you develop fever, chills, or flu-like symptoms after returning from a high-risk region, seek medical care immediately and mention your travel history. The CDC provides current malaria prevention and treatment guidance at https://www.cdc.gov/malaria/travelers/index.html.
