The number of Malaria patients among the soldiers and people living in Northern part of Gyunggi-do has decreased recently after constant increase for several years. Once a Malaria-carrying mosquito bites, the red blood cell(RBC), hepatocyte become infected by the Plasmodium. It is an acute disease that causes sudden fever and rigor.

What are the characteristics of Malaria fever?

  • Period of rigor: Suddenly the person¡¯s mood becomes unpleasant and rigor continues for half an hour to two hours.
  • Period of pyrexia: The body temperature increases more than 39 ¡É while severe headache and sense of vomiting may continue for several hours.
  • Period of perspiration: The temperature drops down radically. Sweat and sleepiness are common symptoms during this period.

Major symptoms

  • Recurrent fever and rigor (2~3 days interval) and in case of P. falciparum, there may be jaundice, renal failure, mental confusion along with recurrent fever.

Route of infection

  • Malaria is a disease caused by a parasite called Plasmodium, which is transmitted by the bite of infected mosquitoes.
  • Through the saliva from the mosquito, the Plasmodium gets into the body destroying red cells.
  • Its causes fever and other symptoms to the whole body. In addition, Malaria may be transmitted through blood transfusion, thus, those who have completed their military service in regions where Malaria is endemic should not donate blood for two years after completing the military service.

Latent period

  • Latent period: Falciparum - 7 days ~ 14 days (11 days on average)
  • Plasmodium vivax - 7 days ~ 20 days (14 days on average)
  • ¡Ø Extended latent period: 9 ~ 13 months for the Plasmodium vivax in Korea

Preventive measures

  • Try to avoid mosquito bite.
  • Do not go out during the active hours of mosquitoes in the Malaria outbreak regions.
  • When traveling to regions where Malaria is endemic, get prescription from a doctor for prophylaxis against Malaria and take the medicine regularly.
  • ¡Ø Every Public Health Center provides free Malaria testing and for those whose results appear to be positive for the disease, free medication is provided.