Yonsei Med J.  1963 Dec;4(1):51-57. 10.3349/ymj.1963.4.1.51.

Induced Malaria in Korea

• Whang CH

• KMID: 1094167
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.1963.4.1.51

Abstract

Blood surveys on narcotic addicts in the asylums in Korea were carried out from 1959 to 1962, of 3,991 smears collected from addicts, 13 were found to be positive for P. vivax, 23 positive for P. falciparum and 1 positive for P. malarace. All positive cases for malaria parasites were found in the Seoul Narcotic Asylum. The possibility of transmission of malaria parasites through either mosquitos or artificial ways is discussed. The transmission of P. falciparum and P. malariae malaria among addicts would occur probably by the indiscriminate use of congealed syringes and needles and not by the infected anopheline mosquitos. The decreasing in number of positive cases infected with malaria parasites among addicts appeared to be due to the effectiveness of drug administration. In addition, the blood survey on the applicants for the blood donor service in Seoul was carried out monthly from August 1961 to December 1962 and one positive smear in P. vivax out of 7.091 was found.

MeSH Terms

Adult
Human
Korea
Malaria/*etiology
Middle Aged
Substance-Related Disorders/*complications
*Syringes