Evaluation of the malaria threat at the multipurpose range complex, Yongp'yong, Republic of Korea

As part of an operational effort to control the transmission of malaria aft er its reemergence in the Republic of Korea, a number of U,S, military and Korean civilian health workers assessed the situation at a large training s ite where two cases had been transmitted, The vector mosquitoes (Anopheles sinensis) probably had a limited flight range [<1 km] in this situation bas ed on low numbers in permanent light traps and biting collections at the bi lleting area compared with collections from light traps and larval surveys where the mosquito was abundant. The threat of malaria was proven by the pr esence of infected local Korean residents (13 of 105 sampled), However, onl y a small proportion of U.S, soldiers (39 of 78 surveyed) at the training s ite used personal protective measures, Further efforts should include impro ved techniques for informing and motivating soldiers to use personal protec tive measures and cooperation with Korean authorities to perform vector con trol in civilian areas bordering the training area.