Abstract

With a purpose to find out natural transition of endemicity of Malayan filariasis in inland Korea, a survey was conducted in June 1980 in Isan-Myeon of Yongpung-Gun (former Yongju-Gun) where an epidemiological investigation had been carried out in 1973 without any control activities such as chemotherapy. Five sample villages were surveyed for microfilaremia by 20 microliter night blood examination among inhabitants and the results of the surveys conducted in 1973 and 1980 were compared to determine natural transition of the endemicity of malayan filariasis during the period of the last 7 years. The current microfilaria rate among inhabitants in the 5 villages was 2.2 percent on the average (male: 1.6 percent, female: 2.8 percent) from 370 persons examined. By village, the rates were 5.9 percent (number of persons examined: 34) in Baranggol, 0 percent (30) in Guitonggl, 4.2 percent (72) in Alseonggol, 0 percent(65) in Jangjagol and 1.8 percent (169) in Saehae. Extremely low microfilaria rate was noted in young age groups. By age group, no positive case was found in those age groups below 30-39 years except 10-14 age group in which 2 positives (4.4 percent) were found. Two positives each were found in the respective age groups of 40-49(3.2 percent), 50-59 (4.4 percent) and over 60 (3.4 percent). In evaluation of the natural transition of the endemicity during the period of the last 7 years, the microfilaria rate turned out from 13.1 percent in 1973 to 2.2 percent in 1980. The difference in the microfilaria rate was 10.9 percent and the natural reduction rate per year was 1.6 percent on the average. From the examination of 35 cases which had revealed microfilaremia 7 years ago, 85.7 percent(30) of them were found to have converted to microfilaria negatives. On the other hand, from the 151 cases which had revealed no microfilaria in 1973, only 0.7 percent (1) of them was found to have converted to microfilaria positive. In the intensity of microfilaremia, the number of microfilaria/20 microliter blood per positive case was 11.0 in 1973 and 9.1 in 1980. The number of microfilaria/20 microliter per examinee was 1.4 in 1973 and 0.2 in 1980, thus reduced to 1/7 during the period of the 7 years. The retarding endemicity of malayan filariasis in inland Korea was considered to be resulted in by the gradual increase of environmental factors in relation to ecology of vector mosquitoes, which adversely affect to the transmission of malayan filariasis. Followings are suggested to be the factors which control the transmission of the malayan filariasis in this area: Inhabitants are the only natural final host of Brugia malayi infection in this area, gradual elevation of living standards of the inhabitants, gradual awakening of consciousness and behavior among inhabitants to protect themselves from mosquito biting using such as mosquito nets and insecticide sprays, preference of animal bait of vector mosquitoes, Anopheles sinensis, increase in number of domestic animals and fowls being raised in the village areas which play a major part of blood donors to vector mosquitoes, and relatively short (3-4 months) period of mosquito season in a year.