Possible first local malaria case in Washington under investigation

TACOMA, Wash. — Health officials are investigating what could be the first case of locally acquired malaria ever recorded in Washington state.

A woman in Pierce County who has not recently traveled was diagnosed with the disease Saturday and is receiving treatment, officials said. Her condition is being monitored.

While malaria infections are typically linked to travel, this case may have originated from within the state. The most likely scenario, officials say, is that a mosquito bit someone infected with a travel-related case of malaria and later transmitted the disease to the Pierce County patient.

“This risk of getting infected with malaria in Pierce County remains very low,” said Dr. James Miller, Tacoma-Pierce County health officer. “Malaria is a rare disease overall in the United