Current status and epidemiology of endemic parasitic infections in Korea as of 2026: a narrative review
- Author:
Sun HUH
1
Author Information
- Publication Type:Continuing education column
- From:Journal of the Korean Medical Association 2026;69(3):240-252
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
- Abstract: This review aimed to summarize the recent prevalence and epidemiological characteristics of endemic parasitic infections in Korea as reported in the literature up to 2026.Current concepts: Data were collected from national surveillance statistics of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and from studies indexed in PubMed and KoreaMed published between January 2019 and February 2026. The overall prevalence of intestinal helminth infections has decreased substantially, and infections such as ascariasis and trichuriasis (0.2%) are now rarely detected. However, clonorchiasis remains relatively prevalent in endemic river-basin regions (2.3% in 2024), reflecting persistent dietary habits involving the consumption of raw freshwater fish. Vivax malaria continues to occur near the Demilitarized Zone despite long-term control efforts (601 cases in 2025). Claims-based data showed an average of 422 cases of toxoplasmosis per year from 2007 to 2020, and the true burden may be underestimated because many infections are asymptomatic. Other parasitic diseases, including trichomoniasis (age- and sex-adjusted infection rate, >800 per 100,000 women aged 20–39 years in 2020) and scabies (age-adjusted infection rate, 43.0 per 100,000 in 2021), persist because of behavioral and demographic factors.Discussion and conclusion: Clonorchiasis still shows a relatively high infection rate in certain endemic areas. Malaria, toxoplasmosis, trichomoniasis, and scabies may continue to occur because living environments and behavioral patterns are difficult to change. These parasitic diseases should be considered in the differential diagnosis in clinical practice, and patients should be evaluated with appropriate testing and referral when indicated.
