Health authorities in Jalisco confirmed an imported case of malaria related to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Jalisco Ministry of Health reported that the patient was a 30-year-old Colombian man who had traveled to Mexico to attend the Colombia vs. Democratic Republic of the Congo match.
The man developed fever and muscle pain while in Mexico City, but did not seek medical attention until he arrived in Guadalajara.
After the diagnosis was confirmed, the traveler received medical treatment and later returned to Colombia.
No Malaria Outbreak in Jalisco
Roberto Carlos Rivera, Director of Public Health for Jalisco, stated that there is no malaria outbreak in the state.
“We do not have local malaria cases in Jalisco. We have reported a few imported cases, but it has been more than 15 years since we last recorded an autochthonous (locally transmitted) case,” he said.
What Is Malaria?
Malaria, also known as paludism, is a disease caused by the Plasmodium parasite, which is transmitted through the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito.
Common symptoms usually appear 10 to 15 days after the mosquito bite and include:
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Headache
The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes four main species of the malaria parasite:
- Plasmodium falciparum
- Plasmodium vivax
- Plasmodium malariae
- Plasmodium ovale
Malaria can become severe and even fatal, particularly infections caused by Plasmodium falciparum, making early diagnosis and treatment essential.
Treatment and Prevention
The most effective treatment consists of artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) used together with other antimalarial medications.
To prevent malaria, health authorities recommend controlling Anopheles mosquito populations through:
- Insecticide spraying (fumigation)
- The use of long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito nets
In Mexico, indigenous communities in the state of Chiapas remain among the populations at highest risk of contracting malaria.
Source: lopezdoriga
