Domestic malaria cases are increasing. Malaria is transmitted through mosquito bites, and mosquitoes are more active in warmer weather. This year, temperatures are expected to be higher than usual, which could lead to a significant rise in malaria cases.
According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on the 2nd, there have been 54 malaria cases reported in the country this year. This is a 59% increase from 34 cases during the same period last year. Most malaria cases occurred in Gyeonggi Province with 33 cases, followed by Seoul (6 cases), Incheon (4 cases), Gangwon Province (3 cases), Daejeon (2 cases), and one case each in Chungnam, Sejong, Busan, Ulsan, Jeonnam, and Gyeongnam.
Malaria is a class 3 infectious disease transmitted by the Anopheles mosquito, resulting in over 200 million cases worldwide each year. The parasitic protozoans that transfer when mosquitoes suck human blood cause severe high fever and chills, which can be fatal. Despite global eradication efforts, it leads to nearly 600,000 deaths each year.
Domestic malaria cases in January and February were 5 and 3, respectively, with a sharp increase to 36 in April. If the current trend continues, malaria cases this year are projected to exceed 700. There were 576 cases in 2018, and 559 cases in 2019, but it decreased to 385 cases in 2020 and 294 in 2021 due to a reduction in outings caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, as outdoor activities have increased since then, malaria cases are again rising, with 420 cases in 2022, 747 in 2023, and an estimated 713 in 2024.
Malaria in the country is primarily transmitted by mosquitoes coming from North Korea to residents or soldiers near the Demilitarized Zone. With the recent warming weather, malaria mosquitoes are increasing and the areas of infection are expanding. Mosquitoes are ectothermic animals, meaning their body temperature rises with the temperature, and they grow quickly and breed more.
To prevent malaria, it is crucial to avoid mosquito bites. The Anopheles mosquito has a black body and is often found near bushes or livestock sheds. Its wingbeat is quiet, making it hard to notice even when it is flying nearby. It is best to reduce outdoor activities at night when mosquitoes are most active. The Disease Control Agency noted, "Malaria-carrying mosquitoes prefer dark colors, so it is advisable to wear light-colored long clothing when going out," and added, "If you smell of sweat, you are more likely to be bitten, so you should wash often."
As more people travel abroad during the holiday season, the number of imported cases may also rise. If high fever or suspicious symptoms appear after traveling abroad, one should get tested at a healthcare facility. Malaria can be quickly diagnosed with a rapid diagnostic test, which can confirm infection within 15 minutes, and timely treatment can lead to a full recovery.