Malaria Alert Issued in Seo-gu, Incheon... 55 Patients Reported in Incheon This Year

Incheon City issued a malaria alert for Seo-gu on the 25th, following Gyeyang-gu and Yeonsu-gu. The city issued the malaria alert as three suspected cluster cases of malaria occurred in Seo-gu, urging residents and visitors in the area to exercise special caution.

A suspected cluster case refers to a situation where two or more patients in a malaria risk area develop symptoms within 30 days of each other and live within 1 km of each other. If genetic analysis shows that each patient's genotype is identical, it is classified as a cluster case. Starting this year, according to the "Malaria Management Guidelines," a malaria alert is issued in the district when three or more suspected cluster cases or cluster cases occur. Previously, on the 12th, Incheon City issued malaria alerts after confirming a cluster case in Gyeyang-gu and three or more suspected cluster cases in Yeonsu-gu.

Following the occurrence of these suspected cluster cases, the city plans to conduct on-site investigations including mosquito habitat surveys in the patient occurrence areas, residence inspections, and identification of risk factors. Additionally, the city has actively instructed the district to carry out mosquito control in patient occurrence and suspected infection areas, intensive publicity through local medical and pharmaceutical associations to detect additional cases, and provide rapid diagnostic tests and preventive medication (Primaquine).

Due to this year's hot and humid weather, mosquito activity has increased, resulting in 55 malaria patients in the Incheon area as of the 24th, more than double compared to the same period last year (22 patients). The photo shows a researcher demonstrating mosquito classification work. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Malaria is an infectious disease transmitted by female mosquitoes belonging to the Anopheles genus, with major symptoms including fever, chills, and headache. Rapid diagnostic tests can provide presumptive diagnosis within 15 minutes. In the case of the three-day malaria, which mainly occurs domestically, early diagnosis and treatment are important as it can be completely cured with appropriate treatment.

An official from Incheon City stated, "As of the 24th, there have been 55 malaria patients in the Incheon area this year, more than double compared to the same period last year (22 patients)." They added, "Residents or travelers in malaria risk areas should be especially careful to avoid mosquito bites, and if symptoms such as fever or chills occur after being bitten by a mosquito, they should immediately visit a public health center or medical institution for testing."

When suspected cluster cases occur, residents of the affected area can receive rapid diagnostic tests and preventive medication free of charge by visiting the local public health center within 30 days from the onset date of the last patient's symptoms.