Malaria Advisory Issued for Troops Serving Near Inter-Korean Border

This graphic, provided by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on April 9, 2025, shows the distribution of malaria patients in South Korea in 2024. (Image courtesy of Yonhap) SEOUL, April 9 (Korea Bizwire) — 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 fever, fatigue, chills, vomiting and headaches. Malaria parasites can lie dormant in a patient’s body for up to two years before showing symptoms, according to the KDCA. (Yonhap).