South Korea issues nationwide malaria alert

ISTANBUL — South Korean health authorities issued a nationwide malaria alert Thursday after detecting genetic material from the Plasmodium vivax parasite in mosquitoes collected in northern South Korea, Anadolu Agency reported.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said the parasite material was found in Anopheles mosquitoes collected in Paju and Yeoncheon County between July 27 and Aug. 2. "The detection of the parasite in vector mosquitoes means that the likelihood of contracting malaria from the bite of an infected mosquito has increased," the KDCA said.

The nationwide alert followed a malaria advisory issued on June 22 because of an increase in vector mosquitoes. The agency said alerts were later issued in five areas because of clusters of cases and increases in mosquito populations.

South Korea recorded 201 domestically acquired malaria cases between Jan. 1 and Aug. 1, down 43.4% from 355 in the same period last year, according to the report. Malaria cases in the country have historically been concentrated near the Demilitarized Zone separating South Korea from North Korea, though risk areas have expanded in recent years.

The alert came during an unusually hot summer in South Korea. The KDCA said malaria-vector mosquito density remains lower than last year, partly because of extreme heat, but health officials warned populations could rise again once the heat subsides.

Health officials urged authorities in malaria-risk areas to strengthen mosquito-control measures. They also advised residents and visitors to avoid nighttime outdoor activities, wear long clothing, use repellents, screens and nets, and seek testing at a public health center or medical facility if they have suspected symptoms, including fever and chills.