Seoul warns mosquitoes may return as summer heat eases

Seoul is cautioning residents to remain vigilant against mosquitoes even as summer temperatures begin to subside, warning that the insects could persist through the fall and still present a risk of mosquito-borne illnesses. The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on Tuesday that it will ramp up mosquito monitoring and prevention measures throughout late autumn, as outdoor activities resume and milder temperatures may spur a resurgence of mosquito populations after the sweltering summer.

This advisory follows a report from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) that detected genetic material from the malaria parasite in mosquitoes collected in Paju and Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi Province, between July 27 and August 2. The KDCA issued a nationwide malaria alert on August 13, noting that while mosquito populations were lower than last year despite the heat wave, the agency had recorded 201 malaria cases this year, a 43.4% decrease from the 355 cases during the same period last year.

However, the warning emphasizes that cooler weather does not automatically eliminate the risk, as demonstrated by the transmission of malaria cases in Seoul last year, with 70 reported instances persisting into the fall.