The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency issued a nationwide malaria advisory on Monday, June 22, as the criteria for issuing an advisory were met due to an increase in the density of malaria-carrying mosquitoes.
A malaria alert is issued when there are three or more cities, counties, or districts with a daily average malaria index* of 0.5 or higher. As of the 24th week of surveillance this year, a total of four cities and counties [Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do (0.8), Ganghwa-gun, Incheon (1.0), Yanggu-gun, Gangwon-do (0.7), Guro-gu, Seoul (0.5)] met the criteria.
This year’s advisory was issued at the same time (week 24) as in 2025, and the average temperature of the recent four weeks (weeks 21–24) was 20.5℃, which is similar to the average of 20.1℃ (’23–’25) and 20.0℃ of the previous year.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency conducts an annual survey and surveillance of vector mosquitoes in malaria-risk areas, monitoring mosquito density and testing for Plasmodium vivax from April to October. This year, the project is being carried out at a total of 88 locations in cooperation with the Ministry of National Defense, four city and provincial public health and environment research institutes (Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi, and Gangwon), and public health centers.
In 2026, the total number of domestic malaria patients reached 74 during the 24th week (Jan. 1 to June 13), a 45.6% decrease compared to the same period of the previous year (136 patients). By region, the breakdown was Gyeonggi with 43 patients (58.1%), Incheon with 17 (23.0%), and Seoul with 8 (10.8%). Epidemiological investigations identified the main suspected infection areas as Gyeonggi (Paju-si, Yeoncheon-gun, Gimpo-si, and Ilsanseo-gu, Goyang-si) and Incheon (Ganghwa-gun).
Mosquito control, prevention of bites, and rapid diagnosis and treatment are essential for blocking the transmission and preventing the spread of malaria. Local governments and facilities subject to mandatory disinfection must reduce mosquito density by implementing comprehensive control measures targeting larval breeding grounds and adult resting sites, while medical institutions in high-risk areas must suspect malaria and actively conduct tests when patients with fever (37.5°C or higher) visit.
Lim Seung-kwan, Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, emphasized, “In accordance with the malaria advisory, local governments should strengthen control of vector mosquitoes, and residents and visitors in affected areas should observe mosquito bite prevention guidelines,”
They urged people to “visit a nearby public health center or medical institution for early testing if symptoms such as fever appear after being bitten by a mosquito during nighttime activities in malaria-endemic areas.”