Malaria Alert Issued in South Korea Following Mosquito Protozoa Confirmation
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Seoul, South Korea – South Korean health authorities have issued a malaria alert for the first time this year, triggered by the confirmation of mosquitoes carrying malaria protozoa.the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced the warning on August 19th, pinpointing the first source of infection in the 31st week of the year (July 27th – August 2nd).
This alert comes amidst fluctuating mosquito populations. While the cumulative average daily mosquito count has decreased by 54.4% year-over-year, a meaningful surge has been observed following the heavy rains at the end of July. Mosquito numbers are now up 46.9% compared to the previous year and 24.1% in the 31st week alone, according to data from the Pickles Office.
Prior to this nationwide alert, warnings had been issued in eight regions due to localized cluster cases and high mosquito indices, following an initial warning on June 20th related to increased mosquito activity.
Despite the alert, the overall number of confirmed malaria cases in South korea remains lower than last year.As of today, 373 cases have been reported, representing an 18.8% decrease from the 443 cases recorded during the same period in 2023.
Understanding the Alert Levels
The CDC defines a “malariaism” – a localized alert – when the first cluster case is identified or when the mosquito index reaches 5.0 or higher for two consecutive weeks within the same city, county, or district. The current alert was triggered by the detection of malaria protozoa in collected mosquito samples.
A malaria cluster is defined as two or more cases occurring within a 1km radius, with an interval of no more than 14 days between patients.This year,16 such clusters have been identified,a decrease from the 22 clusters reported last year.
How Malaria Spreads & Symptoms to watch For
Malaria is transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes. It is not spread through the air or by casual contact. The predominant forms of malaria in South Korea are Plasmodium vivax (frequently enough referred to as Samil malaria), which typically manifests 12-18 days after infection.Common symptoms include headaches, fever, chills, and vomiting.
Currently, there is no vaccine available for malaria, making mosquito prevention paramount.
Investigations into recent cases indicate that most infections occurred when individuals were bitten by mosquitoes while near lakes, parks, and puddles during evening hours – peak mosquito activity times.
Prevention Measures
Lim Seung-kwan,a spokesperson for the CDC,emphasized the importance of proactive measures. “Local governments will strengthen mosquito control efforts,” he stated.”Residents and visitors must take precautions to avoid mosquito bites, including wearing long clothing and using repellents, especially during nighttime hours. Utilizing mosquito nets while sleeping is also highly recommended.” he further urged anyone experiencing potential malaria symptoms to seek immediate medical testing.
Source: Herald Economy (김보영 기자) - https://www.heraldcorp.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=398787
