Malaria advisory issued for troops serving near inter-Korean border

The defense ministry issued a malaria advisory Wednesday for troops serving near the border with North Korea, citing new cases involving those who had been stationed in border areas. The joint advisory with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) came after two discharged soldiers who served in the western border city of Paju and the central border county of Cheorwon, respectively, were diagnosed with malaria this month. South Korea has reported more than 600 cases of malaria per year since 2023, with about 20 percent of them confirmed from active and recently discharged service members, according to the KDCA. Soldiers stationed near the border are relatively more susceptible to the mosquito-borne disease due to outdoor guard duties and training, it said. The KDCA advised troops in border areas to use mosquito repellents and nets from April to October when malaria transmission is active, adding those discharged from service can be tested for malaria for free for two years if they show symptoms. After being bitten by a malaria-infected mosquito, patients can suffer from feveWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times