Evaluation of the Malaria Threat at the Multipurpose Range Complex, Yongp'yong, Republic of Korea

Abstract

As part of an operational effort to control the transmission of malaria after its reemergence in the Republic of Korea, a number of U.S. military and Korean civilian health workers assessed the situation at a large training site where two cases had been transmitted. The vector mosquitoes (Anopheles sinensis) probably had a limited flight range (< 1 km) in this situation based on low numbers in permanent light traps and biting collections at the billeting area compared with collections from light traps and larval surveys where the mosquito was abundant. The threat of malaria was proven by the presence of infected local Korean residents (13 of 105 sampled). However, only a small proportion of U.S. soldiers (39 of 78 surveyed) at the training site used personal protective measures. Further efforts should include improved techniques for informing and motivating soldiers to use personal protective measures and cooperation with Korean authorities to perform vector control in civilian areas bordering the training area.