AP

Arkansas Department of Health investigating locally-acquired malaria case

KUAR | By Daniel Breen

An investigation is ongoing after the first locally-acquired case of malaria was reported in Arkansas last week.

The Arkansas Department of Health says a resident of Saline County contracted the disease from an infected mosquito, but has since been released from the hospital. Malaria is potentially fatal, and can cause chills, fever and sweating typically a few weeks after being bitten.

Dr. Naveen Patil is deputy state health officer and medical director of infectious diseases at the Health Department. He says they’ve been testing mosquitoes for the malaria parasite.

Arkansas Department of Health investigating locally-acquired malaria case

James Gathany/AP

A female mosquito is seen in this file photo.