Gyeonggi Province Takes Preemptive Approach to Malaria...Patient Cases Down 6.8% from Previous Year

[Suwon Ilbo= Reporter Park No-hun] As a result of Gyeonggi Province establishing a proactive and responsive system to combat malaria in border areas through regular pest control activities this year, patient cases in the province have decreased 6.8% compared to the same period last year.

According to the province on the 17th, through total efforts to prevent mosquito-borne disease infections including approximately 120,000 pest control disinfections, 285 health education sessions, and distribution of approximately 100,000 promotional materials from January to October this year, the number of malaria patients in the province from January to September totaled 275 cases, confirming a decrease of 20 cases compared to 295 cases in the same period last year (based on Disease Control and Prevention Agency infectious disease portal statistics as of September 30).

First, among three provinces and cities designated as malaria risk areas (Gyeonggi, Incheon, and Gangwon), the province has organized and operated a "Civil-Government-Military Joint Malaria Eradication Task Force" comprising the Disease Control and Prevention Agency, specialized professors, Ground Operations Command, and the Provincial Medical Center since April. Following this, on May 23, the province hosted a joint pest control day for the three malaria risk provinces and cities (Gyeonggi, Incheon, and Gangwon), implementing coordinated pest control activities with 15 health centers in the province (3 in Goyang, 2 in Namyangju, Uijeongbu, Paju, Yangju, Guri, Pocheon, Dongducheon, Gapyeong, Yeoncheon, Gimpo, and Bucheon) as well as private autonomous pest control units and military units. On this day, the province concentrated pest control efforts on septic tanks and surrounding puddles at residences and commercial establishments for larval control, and also promoted campaigns including guidance on mosquito avoidance methods to prevent infectious diseases, distribution of promotional materials, and educational and promotional activities on prevention rules at lake parks, subway stations, markets, and within health centers in the province.

Furthermore, the province installed 456 light traps and 34 digital mosquito measurement devices (DMS) for vector mosquito monitoring this year and conducted a total of approximately 115,000 vector mosquito collection activities. Additionally, the province secured 82 medical facilities capable of treating malaria and carried out various activities including approximately 70,000 fog disinfection treatments, approximately 40,000 larval control operations, and twice-weekly pest control in vulnerable areas (as of end of September 2019).

Beyond this, the province plans to hold a second meeting of the Civil-Government-Military Joint Malaria Eradication Task Force in November, where 14 experts will report on project implementation status in each city and county and provide evaluation and consultation.

Ryu Young-chul, head of the Gyeonggi Province Health and Health Department, stated, "When traveling to malaria risk areas, please comply with prevention rules such as refraining from going out at night, wearing long clothing, and using mosquito repellent to minimize mosquito bites," and added, "Before traveling to high-risk areas abroad, you should consult with a doctor and take appropriate preventive medication depending on the region."