Delayed diagnosis of severe falciparum malaria in a patient presenting with acute gastroenteritis in West Texas

Falciparum malaria is a life-threatening infection that affects both people in endemic areas and people who travel to endemic areas. Malaria in exceedingly rare in West Texas, but the initial recognition and prompt initiation of antimalarial treatment are crucial in managing malaria. Here we present a case of a 31-year-old woman who was initially diagnosed with acute gastroenteritis and was later found to have cerebral malaria.