This week, the reporting of four malaria cases in Florida and one in Texas grabbed headlines as a disease thought eradicated decades ago in the U.S. made a surprise return. Even though the single Lone Star State case was reported in the South Texas, infectious disease expert Dr. Bonnie M. Word — director of the Houston Travel Medicine Clinic — told the Current there’s no reason to worry. “Sometimes, this is just a plane ride away from coming in,” Word said.