Abstract
BackgroundVivax malaria reemerged along the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), Republic of Korea (ROK), in 1993. While it was hypothesized that vivax malaria would spread throughout the peninsula, nearly all cases were due to exposure near the DMZ. To reduce spillover of vivax malaria to the civilian community, the ROK Ministry of National Defense (MND) initiated malaria prevention policies including a large-scale chemoprophylaxis programme in malaria high-risk areas in 1997. The present study investigated the overall changes in the incidence of malaria among ROK soldiers and the mass chemoprophylaxis program from 1997 to 2016.ResultsPeak numbers of vivax malaria were reported in 2000, with most cases reported near the DMZ, before declining to the current levels. To combat the rapid increase in the number of malaria cases and its expansion throughout the ROK, the MND implemented mosquito control and personal protection programmes. The MND also implemented a large-scale vivax malaria chemoprophylaxis programme using hydroxychloroquine (400 mg weekly) in 1997, and primaquine (15 mg × 14 days) as terminal chemoprophylaxis in 2001. Additionally, an improved medical system enabled the rapid detection and treatment of malaria to reduce morbidity and decrease transmission of malaria from humans to mosquitoes. Following the full implementation of these programmes, the incidence of vivax malaria declined in both ROK Armed Forces and civilian populations. Subsequently, several changes in the ROK Armed Forces chemoprophylaxis programme were implemented, including the reduction of the period of hydroxychloroquine prophylaxis by 2 months (2008) and other changes in the chemoprophylaxis policy, e.g., only ROK Armed Forces personnel in moderate risk groups received terminal primaquine chemoprophylaxis (2011), and in 2016, the discontinuation of terminal primaquine chemoprophylaxis in moderate-risk area.ConclusionsThe resurgence of vivax malaria in the ROK Armed Forces personnel near the DMZ was successfully suppressed through the implementation of a mass malaria chemoprophylaxis programme initiated by the MND in 1997, as well as several other factors that may have contributed to the reduction of malaria transmission since 2000. Given the current malaria situation in the ROK and North Korea, it is necessary to reevaluate the ROK Armed Forces and civilian malaria control policies.
Highlights
Vivax malaria reemerged along the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), Republic of Korea (ROK), in 1993
The resurgence of vivax malaria in the ROK Armed Forces personnel near the DMZ was successfully suppressed through the implementation of a mass malaria chemoprophylaxis programme initiated by the Ministry of National Defense (MND) in 1997, as well as several other factors that may have contributed to the reduction of malaria transmission since 2000
The present study identified changes in malaria control policies, including chemoprophylaxis provided by the ROK MND to members of the ROK Armed Forces in moderate to high malaria risk areas over the past 20 years, vector control, institution of personal protection, and reduction in the number of malaria cases based on the modified policies
Summary
Vivax malaria reemerged along the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), Republic of Korea (ROK), in 1993. To reduce spillover of vivax malaria to the civilian community, the ROK Ministry of National Defense (MND) initiated malaria prevention policies including a large-scale chemoprophylaxis programme in malaria high-risk areas in 1997. P. vivax reemerged in the ROK in 1993 along the demilitarized zone (DMZ) [3], and rapidly increased to > 4000 vivax malaria cases by 2000 before declining (Fig. 1) [2]. By 2012, the number of vivax malaria cases declined to 555, possibly due to malaria control efforts (Fig. 2) [4], including a large-scale malaria chemoprophylaxis programme managed by the ROK Ministry of National Defense (MND). One-third of ROK soldiers are deployed and reside in moderate to high malaria-risk areas Because they serve for 21–24 months, they experience two malaria-risk seasons from May through October during their compulsory period of service. They remain in veteran status and receive medical reimbursement for diseases acquired during their service, including malaria
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