Malaria Indicated In Initial Test Results on Oklahoman Receiving Post-Arrival Monitoring Following West Africa Travel

The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) and Tulsa Health Department (THD) report that a laboratory test indicates positive results for malaria in an individual in Tulsa County, who recently traveled from West Africa.   An additional laboratory test is pending at the Oklahoma State Public Health Laboratory and will be completed later today.

The individual was being monitored daily by public health personnel because the person had traveled to Guinea, Liberia or Sierra Leone within the previous 21 days.  The individual was assessed to be low risk for contracting Ebola, did not report any known exposure to persons with Ebola nor did the individual provide healthcare to an Ebola patient while in Africa.  In taking all precautionary measures, a blood specimen was collected and will be sent to CDC for Ebola testing. 

Late Thursday evening, the individual informed THD health officials that they had developed a fever. THD immediately implemented an isolation and clinical evaluation plan in conjunction with the Regional Medical Response System following appropriate infection control protocols. The individual was safely transported via ambulance to a local hospital for medical evaluation and care.

To view a fact sheet about Malaria from the Oklahoma State Department of Health click here.