ABSTRACT
Vivax malaria was endemic on the Korean peninsula for many centuries until the late 1970's when the Republic of Korea (ROK) was declared "malaria free". Since its re-emergence in 1993, the number of malaria cases in the military increased exponentially through 2000 near the demilitarized zone. Chemoprophylaxis with chloroquine and primaquine has been used in the ROK Army since 1997 in an attempt to reduce the number of the malaria cases throughout the ROK. Data show that chemoprophylaxis contributed, in part, to the decrease in the number of malaria cases among military personnel. However, mass chemoprophylaxis on a large scale in the ROK Army is unprecedented and extensive supervision and monitoring is warranted to determine its effectiveness and to monitor the appearance of chloroquine tolerant/resistant strains of Plasmodium vivax.
Subject(s)
Humans , Antimalarials/therapeutic use , Chemoprevention/methods , Chloroquine/therapeutic use , Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control , Incidence , Korea/epidemiology , Malaria, Vivax/epidemiology , Military Personnel/statistics & numerical data , Outcome Assessment, Health Care , Prevalence , Primaquine/therapeutic use , Risk Assessment/methods , Risk Factors , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Since 1997, the annual case occurrence of vivax malaria in the Republic of Korea (ROK) has exceeded 1,000 cases. The military has been an important source of the current outbreak. We collected informations about malaria cases (soldiers, veterans and civilians) that occurred in 2002, and analyzed the characteristics of the current outbreak. METHODS: Informations about the day of onset, region, and occupation of malaria cases of soldiers, veterans and civilians were collected through the National Institute of Health. RESULTS: Out of a total of 1,757 cases, 425 cases (24.2%) occurred in the military, 468 cases (26.6 %) among the veterans, and 864 cases (49.2%) among the civilians. Ten-day incidence reached its peak in the late July to the mid August. Areas such as Paju, Ganghwa, Yeoncheon and Cheolwon showed the highest prevalence. CONCLUSION: Presently, the current malaria outbreak appears to be in decreasing phase, however, attention should continuously be paid to prevent further spreading of malaria.
Subject(s)
Humans , Incidence , Malaria , Malaria, Vivax , Military Personnel , Occupations , Prevalence , Republic of Korea , VeteransABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Since 1997, the annual case occurrence of vivax malaria in the Republic of Korea (ROK) has exceeded 1,000 cases. The military has been an important source of the current outbreak. We collected informations about malaria cases (soldiers, veterans and civilians) that occurred in 2002, and analyzed the characteristics of the current outbreak. METHODS: Informations about the day of onset, region, and occupation of malaria cases of soldiers, veterans and civilians were collected through the National Institute of Health. RESULTS: Out of a total of 1,757 cases, 425 cases (24.2%) occurred in the military, 468 cases (26.6 %) among the veterans, and 864 cases (49.2%) among the civilians. Ten-day incidence reached its peak in the late July to the mid August. Areas such as Paju, Ganghwa, Yeoncheon and Cheolwon showed the highest prevalence. CONCLUSION: Presently, the current malaria outbreak appears to be in decreasing phase, however, attention should continuously be paid to prevent further spreading of malaria.