Mosquitoes resurface after heatwave, raising malaria alert in South Korea

Mosquitoes, which had been less active during the extreme heatwave, are now resurfacing across South Korea as temperatures moderate, prompting health officials to warn residents about the risk of contracting malaria.

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Mosquitoes that had been quiet during the extreme heatwave are now buzzing again as temperatures drop, and you should be careful not to get bitten by mosquitoes that transmit malaria, an acute febrile illness.

Data from Seoul's Digital Mosquito Monitoring System (DMS) shows significant mosquito populations persisting through the fall last year. In September, the number of mosquitoes caught was comparable to August, indicating continued activity. Even in October, a considerable number of mosquitoes were still being captured, highlighting the extended mosquito season.

This year, the concern is amplified by the detection of the parasite responsible for *Plasmodium vivax* malaria in mosquitoes collected in Paju and Yeoncheon, northern border areas. This led the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) to issue a nationwide malaria alert on August 13.

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Even if the number of individuals temporarily decreases due to the heatwave, mosquito breeding can continue if the temperature drops to an appropriate level.

Malaria cases in Seoul last year, while concentrated in the summer months (June-August), still saw a notable number of infections (18.6%) occurring in September and October. The disease typically presents with cyclical symptoms of chills, fever, and headaches every 48 hours. Health authorities urge anyone experiencing these symptoms to seek prompt diagnosis and treatment at a local health center or hospital.

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In Korea, malaria cases are characterized by symptoms such as chills, fever, and headaches that repeat at 48-hour intervals.