High likelihood of severe condition, rapid diagnosis and treatment essential
Increase in malaria patients as Southeast Asia travel rises
Take preventive medication in advance when visiting epidemic areas.
We must strive to develop habits of using mosquito repellents and other preventive measures.
On the 11th, medical staff advised to be cautious of mosquito-borne infectious diseases such as dengue fever, malaria, and yellow fever, which can lead to death if reinfected.
What is the difference between malaria and dengue fever?
Malaria is a disease caused by the Plasmodium parasite transmitted by mosquitoes. When a mosquito infected with the parasite bites a person, the parasite enters the bloodstream and causes infection.
There are five types of heat source parasites, and in Korea, the three-day malaria caused by the three-day heat source parasite, which causes fever every other day, mainly occurs. It mainly occurs in Paju, Yeoncheon, Ganghwa in Gyeonggi Province, and Seo-gu in Incheon, and the Disease Control and Prevention Agency designates and announces high-risk areas every year.
Samil malaria has milder symptoms compared to other types of malaria. Tropical malaria, which occurs in tropical regions, can be a malignant form of malaria that poses a threat to life.
Professor Son Jun-sung of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Kangdong Kyunghee University Hospital explained, "Malaria contracted abroad is more likely to progress to a severe stage compared to domestically acquired malaria." He added, "If treatment is delayed, the spleen may rupture, and neurological issues such as amnesia, seizures, and psychosis can occur. The mortality rate is also high, so prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential."
Dengue fever is a viral disease transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, infecting over 100 million people annually. There is a rapid increase in cases in regions such as Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia, which are popular among Koreans. The problem is that there are no preventive vaccines or treatments available domestically. Especially, individuals who have been infected with dengue fever in the past and are re-infected are at higher risk of severe symptoms such as bleeding and shock, so caution is necessary.
■ Korea is not a safe country either... Malaria symptoms
Due to climate change, the malaria-transmitting 'Anopheles mosquito' has recently been causing a surge in Korea. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency issued a malaria warning across the country on the 18th of last month. The number of Anopheles mosquitoes, which are malaria vectors collected from high-risk areas within Korea, has reached warning levels in three cities and counties: Paju in Gyeonggi Province, Ganghwa County in Incheon, and Cheorwon County in Gangwon Province.
The microfilariae that enter our bodies through mosquitoes have a incubation period of as short as 2 weeks or up to about 1 year. Initially, symptoms such as headache, fatigue, abdominal pain, or vomiting may appear. Subsequently, the characteristic 48-hour fever cycle of tertian malaria begins. Tropical malaria causes daily fever. When cold and shivering occur, the fever can rise above 40 degrees Celsius, followed by intense sweating and a subsequent drop in temperature.
The causative agent of malaria invades red blood cells in the blood, and when infected, the red blood cells are destroyed, leading to anemia. The spleen, which is responsible for cleaning up the destroyed red blood cells, may enlarge. If not treated properly, the liver and kidneys can become overburdened. In cases of tropical malaria, if treatment is not administered early, multiple organ functions can be compromised simultaneously, leading to severe malaria. It can invade the kidneys, lungs, liver, or even the brain, and may threaten life.
Professor Yeom Joon-seop of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Severance Hospital said, "During the summer, there are many other illnesses that cause fever, so if you have suspicious symptoms, you should visit a hospital," and "You should inform us if you have visited or traveled to malaria risk areas in Korea or foreign countries." He continued, "Since malaria has a long incubation period, if you develop suspicious symptoms during or after travel, it is necessary to get checked," and added, "Malaria is diagnosed by detecting the protozoa in the blood."
■ Prevention methods for malaria and dengue fever without vaccines
Since there is no vaccine developed for malaria yet, the best prevention is to be careful not to get bitten by mosquitoes. If you travel to an area where malaria is prevalent, it is advisable to cover your skin with long-sleeved clothing to prevent mosquito bites. Wearing light-colored clothing can also be helpful.
When choosing accommodation, select a place with sturdy mosquito nets or screens installed, and be sure to use mosquito repellents. If a pregnant woman contracts malaria, it poses a risk to both the mother and the fetus, so pregnant women should avoid traveling to malaria-endemic areas whenever possible.
There is no malaria vaccine, but preventive medication for malaria has been developed. If you are planning to travel to an area where malaria is prevalent, you can take it after consulting a doctor and receiving a prescription. The duration of taking the medication varies depending on the drug, but generally, it should be started before the trip, continued during the trip, and taken for a certain period after returning, according to the prescribed regimen.
There is no preventive vaccine for dengue fever. Therefore, the only option is to be especially careful to avoid mosquito bites while traveling abroad. Fortunately, there have been no cases of human-to-human transmission so far. If you develop a fever and rash after visiting an area where dengue fever is prevalent, you must immediately inform your doctor of the travel destination.
Professor Kang Cheolin of the Infectious Diseases Department at Samsung Seoul Hospital stated, "It has been investigated that 80% of imported malaria cases in Korea did not take preventive medication," and advised, "When traveling abroad, especially to Africa, it is essential to take preventive medication because the prognosis of tropical malaria that can occur in those regions is poor and it can be fatal."
Furthermore, he said, "Since the types of malaria and drug resistance vary by region, you should consult a doctor before choosing and taking medication," adding, "The effectiveness of preventive medication is 70-95%, not 100%, so even after taking the medication, you should avoid mosquito bites and refrain from going out from evening to dawn."