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Korean J Parasitol. 2009 Dec;47(4):323-335.
Published online 2009 December 01.  doi: 10.3347/kjp.2009.47.4.323.
Copyright © 2009 by The Korean Society for Parasitology
Successful Control of Lymphatic Filariasis in the Republic of Korea
Hyeng-Il Cheun,1 Yoon Kong,2 Shin-Hyeong Cho,1 Jong-Soo Lee,1 Jong-Yil Chai,3 Joo-Shil Lee,4 Jong-Koo Lee,5 and Tong-Soo Kim1,†
1Division of Malaria and Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Health, Seoul 122-701, Korea.
2Department of Molecular Parasitology and Samsung Research Institute, Sungkyunkwan University College of Medicine, Suwon 440-746, Korea.
3Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine and Institute of Endemic Diseases, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul 110-799, Korea.
4Center for Immunology and Pathology, National Institute of Health, Seoul 122-701, Korea.
5Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Seoul 122-701, Korea.

Corresponding author (Email: tongsookim@inha.ac.kr )
* †Present address: Department of Parasitology, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon 400-712, Korea.

Received June 11, 2009; Revised September 25, 2009; Accepted October 06, 2009.

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, lymphatic filariasis, control, diethylcarbamazine.
Appendix 1

Former and current names of surveyed areas

※Former names are shown in "References".

Appendix 2

Important events of filariasis in Korea

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