Epidemiological characteristics of imported malaria related to international travel in the Republic of Korea from 2009 to 2018
Abstract Malaria, transmitted by mosquitoes infected with Plasmodium parasites, remains a significant health issue with global travel increasing the risk of imported malaria. This study investigates imported malaria cases in the Republic of Korea from 2009 to 2018 using data from the Korea National...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Portfolio
2025-01-01
|
| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-84124-6 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1841559633248911360 |
|---|---|
| author | Byoung Hak Jeon Jung Ah Lee Shin Young Lee Sang Eun Lee Joon Sup Yeom |
| author_facet | Byoung Hak Jeon Jung Ah Lee Shin Young Lee Sang Eun Lee Joon Sup Yeom |
| author_sort | Byoung Hak Jeon |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Malaria, transmitted by mosquitoes infected with Plasmodium parasites, remains a significant health issue with global travel increasing the risk of imported malaria. This study investigates imported malaria cases in the Republic of Korea from 2009 to 2018 using data from the Korea National Infectious Disease Surveillance System. During this period, 601 imported cases were reported, with 82.4% male patients and a median age of 39.1 years. Most cases (76.5%) involved Korean residents returning from malaria-endemic areas, mainly Africa and Asia. Plasmodium falciparum (55.7%) and Plasmodium vivax (30.3%) were the predominant species. The annual percent change in incidence rate was 6.45%. Notably, 71.5% of the patients did not receive prophylactic chemotherapy, and 18% of those who did still developed malaria. Median diagnostic delays were 4 days for P. falciparum and 7 days for P. vivax. The case fatality rate was 2.3%, with all deaths occurring in travelers who contracted P. falciparum in Africa. This study emphasizes the ongoing risk of imported malaria in the ROK and highlights the need for better awareness and preventive measures among travelers. Enhancing surveillance and educating travelers on anti-malaria chemoprophylaxis are crucial. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-023ad839d08d4100a858584a4af86fc0 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-023ad839d08d4100a858584a4af86fc02025-01-05T12:17:19ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-01-011511910.1038/s41598-024-84124-6Epidemiological characteristics of imported malaria related to international travel in the Republic of Korea from 2009 to 2018Byoung Hak Jeon0Jung Ah Lee1Shin Young Lee2Sang Eun Lee3Joon Sup Yeom4Infectious Disease Research Center, Seoul Metropolitan Government, Citizens’ Health BureauDivision of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yonsei University Health System Division of antimicrobial Resistance Control, Korea Disease Control and Prevention AgencyEpidemiological Investigation Team, Central Disease Control Headquarters, Korea Disease Control and Prevention AgencyDivision of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yonsei University Health System Abstract Malaria, transmitted by mosquitoes infected with Plasmodium parasites, remains a significant health issue with global travel increasing the risk of imported malaria. This study investigates imported malaria cases in the Republic of Korea from 2009 to 2018 using data from the Korea National Infectious Disease Surveillance System. During this period, 601 imported cases were reported, with 82.4% male patients and a median age of 39.1 years. Most cases (76.5%) involved Korean residents returning from malaria-endemic areas, mainly Africa and Asia. Plasmodium falciparum (55.7%) and Plasmodium vivax (30.3%) were the predominant species. The annual percent change in incidence rate was 6.45%. Notably, 71.5% of the patients did not receive prophylactic chemotherapy, and 18% of those who did still developed malaria. Median diagnostic delays were 4 days for P. falciparum and 7 days for P. vivax. The case fatality rate was 2.3%, with all deaths occurring in travelers who contracted P. falciparum in Africa. This study emphasizes the ongoing risk of imported malaria in the ROK and highlights the need for better awareness and preventive measures among travelers. Enhancing surveillance and educating travelers on anti-malaria chemoprophylaxis are crucial.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-84124-6Imported malariaEpidemiologyPlasmodium falciparumPlasmodium vivaxTravel medicine |
| spellingShingle | Byoung Hak Jeon Jung Ah Lee Shin Young Lee Sang Eun Lee Joon Sup Yeom Epidemiological characteristics of imported malaria related to international travel in the Republic of Korea from 2009 to 2018 Scientific Reports Imported malaria Epidemiology Plasmodium falciparum Plasmodium vivax Travel medicine |
| title | Epidemiological characteristics of imported malaria related to international travel in the Republic of Korea from 2009 to 2018 |
| title_full | Epidemiological characteristics of imported malaria related to international travel in the Republic of Korea from 2009 to 2018 |
| title_fullStr | Epidemiological characteristics of imported malaria related to international travel in the Republic of Korea from 2009 to 2018 |
| title_full_unstemmed | Epidemiological characteristics of imported malaria related to international travel in the Republic of Korea from 2009 to 2018 |
| title_short | Epidemiological characteristics of imported malaria related to international travel in the Republic of Korea from 2009 to 2018 |
| title_sort | epidemiological characteristics of imported malaria related to international travel in the republic of korea from 2009 to 2018 |
| topic | Imported malaria Epidemiology Plasmodium falciparum Plasmodium vivax Travel medicine |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-84124-6 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT byounghakjeon epidemiologicalcharacteristicsofimportedmalariarelatedtointernationaltravelintherepublicofkoreafrom2009to2018 AT jungahlee epidemiologicalcharacteristicsofimportedmalariarelatedtointernationaltravelintherepublicofkoreafrom2009to2018 AT shinyounglee epidemiologicalcharacteristicsofimportedmalariarelatedtointernationaltravelintherepublicofkoreafrom2009to2018 AT sangeunlee epidemiologicalcharacteristicsofimportedmalariarelatedtointernationaltravelintherepublicofkoreafrom2009to2018 AT joonsupyeom epidemiologicalcharacteristicsofimportedmalariarelatedtointernationaltravelintherepublicofkoreafrom2009to2018 |