Pierce County woman diagnosed with malaria. Is it first case acquired in WA?

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An east Pierce County woman was diagnosed with malaria on Aug. 2, health officials say.

It could be the first known locally acquired case of the disease in Washington.

The woman, who had not traveled recently, is receiving treatment.

The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department said Wednesday it is investigating a possible locally acquired case of malaria after a woman who had not traveled recently was diagnosed with the disease on Aug. 2.

If it’s confirmed that the woman was infected with malaria in Washington, it would represent the first known locally acquired case in the state.

“It would be something we haven’t seen in Washington,” Tacoma-Pierce County Health Officer Dr. James Miller told The News Tribune.

The patient, from east