Malaria Warning Issued for Northern Areas

The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a malaria warning on Tuesday for Incheon, Ganghwa and northern Gyeonggi and Gangwon provinces.

According to a KCDC survey, the number of malaria patients in Korea as of Aug. 31 was up by five percent from the same period a year ago. The KCDC said that residents and campers out at night in malaria risk areas should take great care not to be bitten by mosquitoes. People in those areas who develop cold-like symptoms such as a high fever should consult a doctor immediately.

Only Ganghwa has been declared a high-risk area (with more than 100 malaria patients per 100,000 people), but there are 12 medium-risk areas (10 to 100 patients per 100,000) including Goseong and Cheolwon in Gangwon Province, and Gimpo and Dongducheon in Gyeonggi Province.

Malaria is carried by female anopheles mosquitoes. It is caused by parasites that multiply in and destroy human red blood cells, leading to fever and anemia.