A survey of Brugia malayi infection on the Heugsan Islands, Korea

Abstract

Lymphatic filariasis due to Brugia malayi infection was endemic in several areas of South Korea.The infection was controlled, or disappeared, in most areas, with the exception of the remote southwesternislands of Jeonranam-do, including the Heugsan Islands. To discover its current situation, a small-scalesurvey was performed on the Heugsan Islands in September 2000. A total of 378 people, 151 male and 227female, living in 8 villages (6 on Daeheugsan-do, 1 on Daejang-do, and 1 on Yeongsan-do) were subjected toa night blood survey for microfilaremia, and physical examination for elephantiasis on the extremities. Therewere 6 (1.6%) microfilaria positive cases, all in females aged 57-72 years, and from only two villages of theDaeheugsan-do area. There were 4 patients with lower leg elephantiasis, but they showed no microfilaremia.The results show that a low-grade endemicity of filariasis remains on the Daeheugsan-do.