Reemerging vivax malaria: changing patterns of annual incidence and control programs in the Republic of Korea.
10.3347/kjp.2006.44.4.285
- Author:
Eun Taek HAN
1
;
Duk Hyoung LEE
;
Ki Dong PARK
;
Won Seok SEOK
;
Young Soo KIM
;
Takafumi TSUBOI
;
Eun Hee SHIN
;
Jong Yil CHAI
Author Information
1. Department of Parasitology, Kangwon National University College of Medicine, Chunchon 200-701, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- Keywords:
Plasmodium vivax;
vivax malaria;
reemerging malaria;
incidence;
geographical distribution;
seasonality;
South Korea;
North Korea
- MeSH:
Seasons;
Plasmodium vivax/drug effects;
Military Personnel/statistics & numerical data;
Malaria, Vivax/*epidemiology/parasitology/*prevention & control;
Korea/epidemiology;
Incidence;
Humans;
Disease Outbreaks/*prevention & control;
Communicable Diseases, Emerging/*epidemiology/parasitology/*prevention & control;
Chloroquine/administration & dosage;
Antimalarials/administration & dosage;
Anopheles/parasitology;
Animals
- From:The Korean Journal of Parasitology
2006;44(4):285-294
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Changing patterns of the reemerging Plasmodium vivax malaria in the Republic of Korea (South Korea) during the period 1993 to 2005 are briefly analyzed with emphasis on the control measures used and the effects of meteorological and entomological factors. Data were obtained from the Communicable Diseases Monthly Reports published by the Korea Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and webpages of World Health Organization and United Nations. Meteorological data of Kangwon-do (Province) were obtained from local weather stations. After its first reemergence in 1993, the prevalence of malaria increased exponentially, peaking in 2000, and then decreased. In total, 21,419 cases were reported between 1993 and 2005 in South Korea. In North Korea, a total of 916,225 cases were reported between 1999 and 2004. The occurrence of malaria in high risk areas of South Korea was significantly (P<0.05) correlated with the mosquito population but not with temperature and rainfall. Control programs, including early case detection and treatment, mass chemoprophylaxis of soldiers, and international financial aids to North Korea for malaria control have been instituted. The situation of the reemerging vivax malaria in the Republic of Korea is remarkably improving during the recent years, at least in part, due to the control activities undertaken in South and North Korea.
