Since vivax malaria re-emerged in the Republic of Korea (ROK) in 1993, the annual incidence of vivax malaria had exceeded exponentially to reach its highest peak of more than 4,000 cases in 2000. However, since 2001, it had decreased constantly to rea...
Since vivax malaria re-emerged in the Republic of Korea (ROK) in 1993, the annual incidence of vivax malaria had exceeded exponentially to reach its highest peak of more than 4,000 cases in 2000. However, since 2001, it had decreased constantly to reach less than 1,000 cases in 2004. Malaria situation in ROK has been directly influenced by the infected mosquitoes originating from North Korea. Ganghwa County, which is adjacent to the western part of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), provide favorable environment to investigate the direct influence from North Korea. We collected various informations about malaria cases (soldiers, veterans and civilians) that occurred in Ganghwa County during 2006 through 2008, and analyzed the epidemiological characteristics.
In 2006, 207 cases of vivax malaria occurred in Ganghwa County, which increased by 86.5% comparing with the incidence in 2005, and annual incidence of 2007 reached 230 cases. However, in 2008, malaria occurrence in Ganghwa County sharply decreased to 88 cases. Most cases occurred in the subcounties located near the DMZ and many cases also occurred in the subcounty near Gimpo City during this period. Monthly incidence reached its highest peak in September in 2006, whereas in August in 2007.