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By Jun Ji-hye
Health authorities have issued an alert, urging citizens to heighten their safety measures against malaria as the number of mosquitoes that can transmit the disease has increased rapidly this summer due mainly to heat waves and heavy torrential rain.
According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) on Wednesday, the daily mosquito index for the 25th week of the year (from June 18 to 24) stood at 7.1, and rose to 9.2 the following week.
The figures released by the KDCA measured the density of mosquitos at 50 places in Incheon, northern Gyeonggi Province and Gangwon Province, which were designated as malaria danger zones.
The mosquito index for the 25th week has more than doubled from the same week a year earlier, and increased nearly five times from the average of the last five years.
The index for the 26th week has also increased 1.3 times from a year earlier and 2.5 times from the average of the last five years.
The ratio of mosquitoes carrying malaria among the total collected by the KDCA has increased as well, standing at 54 percent in the 25th week and 61.7 percent in the 26th week.
The ratio for the 25th week nearly doubled from a year earlier, while that of the 26th week increased 1.2 times during the same period.
The KDCA said the number of malaria patients until the 26th week of the year was tallied at 302, up 169.6 percent from 112 tallied a year earlier.
The KDCA attributed the increasing figures to successive rainfalls in recent weeks creating many puddles where mosquito larvae can grow. It added that the recent heat wave may have also contributed to speeding up their growth.
KDCA officials said they are working together with local governments to remove puddles in malaria danger zones and enhance mosquito control efforts.
Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease resulting in high fever, shaking chills and flu-like symptoms.
Health authorities advise people to refrain from outdoor activities at night when mosquitos are more active, and wear long sleeves and pants when they are outdoors. People are also advised to install mosquito nets in their homes.
"People living in or visiting malaria danger zones should comply with malaria prevention rules," KDCA Commissioner Jee Young-mee said. "Those who show any symptoms associated with malaria are advised to visit nearby a public health center or hospital."
