The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency issued a nationwide malaria alert on the 13th. Malaria is transmitted by bites from Anopheles mosquitoes. When a mosquito sucks human blood, the parasitic protozoa carried over cause shivering fever and prostration, and in severe cases can be fatal.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency issued the alert after Plasmodium vivax was detected in mosquitoes collected in week 31 of this year (July 27–Aug. 2). This means the probability of infection after a mosquito bite has increased. So far, there have been 201 malaria patients in Korea, down 43% from the same period a year earlier.
In Korea, malaria has mainly been transmitted to residents or soldiers in areas near the Demilitarized Zone as mosquitoes come down from North Korea. The transmission area has recently expanded due to the extreme heat. As mosquitoes are ectothermic animals, their body temperature rises with higher ambient temperatures and they reproduce more actively.
The best way to prevent malaria is to avoid mosquito bites. Anopheles mosquitoes have black bodies and are often found in grassy areas or near livestock sheds. Their wingbeats are quiet, making them hard to notice even when flying nearby.
It is best to cut back on outdoor activities in the evening, when mosquitoes are most active. Because malaria vectors prefer dark colors, wearing long, light-colored clothing when going out also helps. Because body odor from sweat can attract mosquitoes, frequent washing is advised. Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency Commissioner Lim Seung-gwan said, "If symptoms appear, you should visit a medical institution and get tested quickly."