Siheung Reports First Malaria Case of the Year... "All-Out Effort to Prevent Spread"

Siheung City Completes Epidemiological Investigation and Local Quarantine

Urges Residents to Exercise Caution During Nighttime Outdoor Activities

The first malaria case of the year has been reported in Siheung, Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Lim Byeong-taek), prompting health authorities to implement emergency disease control measures.

Malaria Infection Prevention Flyer. Provided by Siheung City

On July 19, Siheung City announced that, following the confirmation of the malaria case in the area, authorities have launched an epidemiological investigation and completed quarantine measures in the location where the case occurred, making every effort to prevent community transmission.

The individual was diagnosed with malaria after visiting a medical facility with symptoms of fever and muscle pain. Immediately after the case was reported, the city conducted an epidemiological investigation to identify the infection route, movement history, and possible co-exposures. Quarantine and disinfection operations were completed at the patient’s residence and surrounding area. As of now, no additional cases have been identified.

Malaria is a third-degree notifiable infectious disease that is mainly transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes from May to October. If infected, patients may experience high fever at 48-hour intervals, chills, sweating, headache, muscle pain, and general malaise. Early symptoms are similar to those of the common cold, so anyone experiencing a persistent fever after being bitten by a mosquito should seek timely medical attention.

With recent temperature rises leading to increased outdoor activities such as riverside walks, exercising, and camping, particular caution is needed to prevent mosquito-borne infectious diseases. Preventive measures like wearing long sleeves and long pants, and using mosquito repellent are especially important from dusk through nighttime hours when mosquito activity is at its peak.

The city is strengthening mosquito control activities in the affected area and will continue environmental management, such as eliminating mosquito breeding sites.

Siheung City has urged residents to adopt prevention practices in daily life, including ▲wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants during nighttime and outdoor activities ▲using mosquito repellent ▲checking window screens ▲removing standing water near the home.

Lee Hyeongjeong, Director of Siheung City Health Center, said, "Malaria can be completely cured if detected and treated early. If you experience suspicious symptoms such as fever, please get tested promptly, and strictly follow mosquito bite prevention guidelines."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.