South Korea steps up malaria surveillance and prevention after regional alert

Incheon’s Ganghwa‑gun issued a malaria alert on 14 May after the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency raised a national warning. Local authorities have intensified weekly eco‑friendly spraying, larvicide treatment, and the deployment of 269 mosquito‑repelling devices, focusing on parks, riverbanks and other high‑risk sites. Residents and visitors are being urged to follow protective measures such as using repellents, wearing long sleeves at night and eliminating standing water.

National data show 601 malaria cases in 2023, a 15.7 % drop from the previous year, with 75 % of infections occurring in civilians engaged in outdoor activities like camping and fishing. The majority of cases were reported in the capital region and Gangwon Province. The government’s 2030 malaria‑eradication plan includes expanding rapid‑diagnostic‑test self‑screening to 50 districts, increasing the number of medical facilities able to diagnose malaria from 1,167 to 7,024, and offering financial incentives to clinicians and patients who complete full treatment courses. Officials stress early detection and complete medication to prevent long‑term liver‑stage relapses.