An Outbreak of Vivax Malaria in Republic of Korea in 1999 / 감염

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Annual occurrence of vivax malaria in Republic of Korea (ROK) has exceeded 1,000 cases since 1997. Military system is thought to be a important source of the current outbreak. We collected the information on malaria cases of ROK army, veterans and civilians which occurred in 1999, and analyzed the characteristics of the current outbreak. METHODS: Informations on malaria cases of ROK army, including name, age, sex, rank, force, day of onset, region, etc., were collected through the Office of Surgeon General at Headquarters of ROK army and then analyzed. Informations about malaria cases of veterans and civilians, including age, sex, day of onset, region, etc., were collected through the National Institute of Health and then analyzed. RESULTS:Among a total of 3,628 cases in 1999, 1,085 (29.91%) occurred in the military, 996 (27.45%) occurred in veterans, and 1,547 (42.64%) occurred in civilians. Monthly occurrence reached its peak level at July and had maintained to August. Yeoncheon, Cheolwon and Paju were the highest prevalence region. CONCLUSION: Case occurrence in ROK decreased in 1999 and it was contributed by chemoprophylaxis which has been done since 1997 in the military. It is thought that more attention must be given to protect the further spread of malaria infection.