Eradication of Malaria in the US (1947-1952)

Eradication of Malaria in the US (1947-1952)

BY Courtney Peterson

The National Malaria Society considers malaria to no longer be an epidemic “when no primary indigenous has occurred in the area for three years.”
Between 1949 and 1951, the National Malaria Eradication Program successfully eradicated malaria from the United States. This program was a collaboration of the 13 Southeastern states and the Communicable Disease Center of the US Public Health Service.

The strategy was to apply DDT to the entire interior of homes in rural areas, or to an entire area where malaria was considered an issue. This operation began on July 1, 1947, and by the beginning of 1950, almost 5 million homes had been treated with DDT. By 1952, CDC withdrew the actions, because the eradication attempt had proved to be a success.

In addition to spraying, other successful control efforts conducted by the local departments were adequate drainage to prevent standing water and the removal of mosquito breeding sites.