Korean J Parasitol.  1988 Dec;26(4):255-262. 10.3347/kjp.1988.26.4.255.

Studies on the current epidemiological situation of brugian filariasis in endemic areas of Korea

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Parasitology, Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Kyung-Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Korea.
  • 2Department of Parasitology, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul 120-752, Korea.
  • 3Department of Medical Entomology, National Institute of Health, Seoul 122-040, Korea.

Abstract

An epidemiological study on brugian filariasis was carried out in endemic areas including Cheju Island in Korea, with a brief review of literatures.The results showed that the incidence among residents has remarkably decreased in Cheju Island, which was the main endemic area. Reviewing available informations on the prevalence of filariasis reported in recent years and also judging from the present socio-economic conditions which enable people to practice personal protection against mosquitos, it can be said with confidence that filariasis has almost disappeared from Cheju Island and inland areas. The disease is considered to remain at a low level of endemicity in Hugsan Islands. Certainly mass diethylcarbamazine (DEC) treatment carried out in Cheju Island in the 1960s and 1970s and remarkable economic growth followed by improved living standard and altered life-style of inhabitants could all have combined effects on the disappearance of this mosquito-borne diseae in this island. If the present trends go on, the possibility of resurgence of filariasis in Cheju Island is hardly postulated.


MeSH Terms

parasitology-helminth-nematoda
Brugia malayi
filariasis
epidemiology
Full Text Links
  • KJP
Actions
Cited
CITED
export Copy
Close
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Similar articles
Copyright © 2024 by Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors. All rights reserved.     E-mail: koreamed@kamje.or.kr