Traveler to South Africa dies of malaria

A 25-year-old member of a dancing troupe has been confirmed to have died of malaria, after returning home from her trip to South Africa, the Korean Center for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) said Thursday.

The dancer identified by her family name Kim visited the World Cup host nation and other African countries as a member of the National Center for Korean Traditional Folk Performing Arts earlier this month prior to the start of the world football festival where the Korean national football team is currently competing.

The center said that another performer is also being treated for similar symptoms.

One official said that the performers took preventive medicine before departure but the drugs didn't seem to be effective. He said that the center is ready to hand out its most updated vaccine to those who are traveling to South Africa.

Malaria is a a life-threatening disease, found mostly in African countries, caused by parasites, and transmitted to people when bitten by infected mosquitoes. Appearing 10 to 15 days after being bitten, symptoms include fever, headaches, and vomiting.

남아공 여행객 말라리아로 숨져

월드컵이 열리고 있는 남아프리카공화국에 다녀온 무용단원이 숨져 방역에 비상이 걸렸습니다.

질병관리본부는 월드컵을 앞두고 이달 초 남아공을 비롯해 아프리카를 돌며 문화공연을 펼쳤던 국립민속국악원 무용단원인 25살 김 모 씨가 말라리아로 숨졌다고 밝혔습니다.

또, 같이 공연을 했던 다른 단원 한 명도 같은 증상으로 치료를 받고 있다고 덧붙였습니다.

질병관리본부는 이들이 아프리카로 떠나기 전 예방약을 먹었지만 효과가 떨어지는 약을 복용한 것으로 보인다며, 월드컵 응원을 위해 남아공에 가 있는 사람들에게 최신 예방약을 지원하기로 했다고 밝혔습니다.