Va. Residents Have New Mosquito Scare: Malaria

While the spread of West Nile virus has many wary of mosquitoes, residents of Virginia have another reason to fear the pesky insects -- malaria.

Health officials report that two residents of Loudoun County, outside of Washington, D.C., contracted the disease, which is rare among Americans who have not traveled outside the country, reports The New York Times.

The county's health director, Dr. David Goodfriend, says the disease likely made its way to Virginia when someone who was infected overseas came to Loudoun County, was bitten there by a mosquito or mosquitoes, and the insects then bit the two victims.

The patients, a 15-year-old boy and 19-year-old woman, live a mile apart. They were infected last month and have since recovered.

Goodfriend says more cases may appear as people go to their doctors with illness.

Meanwhile, county officials have stepped up mosquito-spraying efforts and launched a campaign to educate the public about mosquito control.