The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports a significant increase in imported malaria cases at three key southern U.S. border areas in 2023, more than doubling the number from the previous year.
This surge aligns with a rising number of asylum seekers and migrants, highlighting serious public health risks linked to current border policies.
The CDC’s report, released on May 9, indicates a 143% increase in malaria cases in areas key to migrant crossings: Pima, Arizona; San Diego, California; and El Paso, Texas. In total, 68 cases were reported in 2023, a significant rise from the 28 cases recorded in 2022.
This uptick in malaria cases is not just a statistic but a call to action, as nearly all the new cases were among migrants newly arrived from countries where malaria is endemic. A striking 94% of these cases were directly linked to travel through these high-risk areas.
The majority of these cases occurred among other newly arrived migrants, including asylum seekers, according to the CDC.
This issue extends beyond individual health concerns.
With 63 of the 68 infected individuals requiring hospitalization, and a third experiencing severe illness, the strain on local healthcare systems and the broader implications for public health safety are tangible.
New data obtained by Fox News through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request reveals a stark increase in the number of illegal immigrants evading Border Patrol.
The data shows that under the Biden administration, the number of “gotaways” – migrants who avoid detection by agents but are picked up by other surveillance methods – has significantly increased. In fiscal year 2023 alone, there were over 670,000 gotaways, a number that surpasses the total count from the previous decade.
Dr. Eric Cioe-Pena, an emergency medicine physician and vice president of Global Health at Staten Island University Hospital, explained the severity of the situation. “Malaria is a serious disease that can be fatal.”
“While it’s possible for malaria to become endemic again (in America), it’s too early to make definitive predictions. Nevertheless, the situation serves as a reminder of the need for continuous vigilance against infectious diseases, even those considered eradicated, and for ongoing investments in public health infrastructure,” Cioe-Pena added.
The increase in malaria cases and the surge in gotaways paint a troubling picture of the current state of border security and public health management.