Jung Min-ho has worked as a staff writer at The Korea Times since 2012, mostly covering social and political issues. He currently belongs to the Politics & City Desk where he covers topics such as health, labor and human rights. Prior to joining the team, he was responsible for covering North Korea and sports. His article about a biosecurity breach of Middle East respiratory syndrome won him an award from the Korea Science Journalists Association in 2016. He is also the co-author of the book, "Medical Pioneers of Korea" (2019). He served as the head of the international relations committee at the Journalists Association of Korea from 2021 to 2023.
Goyang health officials issue malaria advisory amid nationwide rise in cases
A researcher handles samples of Anopheles sinensis, the most common malaria-transmitting mosquito species found in Korea, at a provincially run health research center in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, April 25, World Malaria Day. Health officials in Goyang have issued a malaria advisory following the confirmation of two cases of the mosquito-borne disease in the same area within just four days. Newsis
By Jung Min-ho
Health officials in Goyang, a city close to the inter-Korean border, have issued a malaria advisory following the confirmation of two cases of the mosquito-borne disease in the same area within just four days.
According to city officials on Tuesday, a teenage Ilsanseo District resident began showing symptoms of malaria, which include high fever and muscle aches. Four days later, another person living in an apartment building located just 500 meters away exhibited similar symptoms.
After receiving medical tests and treatment, they both fully recovered within several days.
Health officials said they would conduct an investigation into the environment of the area to assess the risk of malaria there and beyond, amid a nationwide spike in new cases.
The officials also released a list of the city’s 16 hospitals and clinics where patients can go for malaria testing, calling for extra precautions to avoid mosquito bites, particularly during peak mosquito season between May and October.
According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, 100 people were confirmed to have been infected with malaria between January and May this year. Among them, 66 contracted it last month.
Along with several other cities near the demilitarized zone, including Gimpo and Paju, Goyang is one of the high-risk areas for malaria.
According to the disease control agency, malaria cases are typically transmitted through the bites of Anopheles sinensis, the most common malaria-transmitting mosquito species found in Korea.
A person infected with malaria is not contagious through person-to-person contact. The disease is predominantly spread by mosquito bites, but transmission can occur also occur through blood transfusions, hypodermic needle-sharing or congenital transmission from mother to fetus during pregnancy.
High fever, chills, sweating, fatigue, chest pain, breathing problems and coughing are among the typical symptoms of the disease. If untreated, it can cause severe responses in the form of seizures or organ failure and in the worst cases may result in brain damage or even death.