Successful control of lymphatic filariasis in the Republic of Korea - PubMed (original) (raw)

Review

Successful control of lymphatic filariasis in the Republic of Korea

Hyeng-Il Cheun et al. Korean J Parasitol. 2009 Dec.

Abstract

A successful experience of lymphatic filariasis control in the Republic of Korea is briefly reviewed. Filariasis in the Republic of Korea was exclusively caused by infection with Brugia malayi. Over the past several decades from the 1950s to 2006, many investigators exerted their efforts to detection, treatment, and follow-up of filariasis patients in endemic areas, and to control filariasis. Mass, combined with selective, treatments with diethylcarbamazine to microfilaria positive persons had been made them free from microfilaremia and contributed to significant decrease of the microfilarial density in previously endemic areas. Significant decrease of microfilaria positive cases in an area influenced eventually to the endemicity of filariasis in the relevant locality. Together with remarkable economic growth followed by improvement of environmental and personal hygiene and living standards, the factors stated above have contributed to blocking the transmission cycle of B. malayi and led to disappearance of this mosquito-borne ancient disease in the Republic of Korea.

Keywords: Brugia malayi; control; diethylcarbamazine; lymphatic filariasis.

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Figures

Fig. 1

Fig. 1

Endemic and surveyed areas of lymphatic filariasis in Korea, 2002-2006.

Fig. 2

Fig. 2

Korea: one century of progress in lymphatic filariasis. There are some notable milestones-from first authentic case of lymphatic filariasis in 1927 to elimination of lymphatic filariasis in 2008.

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