Can Anopheles mosquitoes native to Illinois transmit malaria?

Anopheles mosquitoes are indeed known to be vectors for malaria; however, the context of this question pertains to their presence and role in Illinois. While Anopheles species exist in the state, the transmission of malaria is not a concern because malaria is not endemic to Illinois.

Despite Anopheles mosquitoes having the ability to transmit malaria under the right conditions, the fact remains that the disease itself is not present in the region. Thus, even though these mosquitoes can theoretically carry the malaria parasite, they do not pose a risk for transmission in Illinois due to the absence of malaria as an active disease in the state. This factor is key in understanding why transmission is not possible here.