Climate change risks vector-borne infectious diseases ↑…What are the rules for preventing mosquito and tick damage?
Jun 11, 2025
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Infectious disease carriers are biological carriers that possess or acquire infectious disease pathogens (viruses, bacteria, parasites, etc.) and spread them to hosts such as humans and animals. Representatively, there are mosquitoes, ticks, hair mites, etc., and are distinguished from sanitary pests (wheels, bedbugs, etc.).
In fact, as the average temperature has risen by about 1.4℃ over the past 10 years (2015-2024), the timing of issuing a Japanese encephalitis warning has also been accelerated by about 16 days, and the period of mosquito and tick activity is also expanding from spring to late autumn. In the 2020s, the distribution area of active hair mites, a major carrier of tsutsugamushi disease in Korea, also expanded nationwide.
In addition, the need to manage transmitted infectious diseases is increasing as the possibility of entering Korea such as new and mutated pathogens such as Oropouche virus disease (a mosquito-borne disease in the back) and Oz virus (a true tick-borne disease) increases.
In this regard, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced at the 2nd health briefing on the 11th that it has established a 'mid-term plan (2025-2029)' to preemptively respond to the public health threat caused by transmitted infectious diseases.
This mid- to long-term plan presented a comprehensive strategy to actively respond to the growing threat of infectious disease carriers such as mosquitoes and mites due to climate change and the expansion of international exchanges, and to establish a sustainable monitoring and control system. Under the vision of protecting the public health from vector-borne infectious diseases, the focus was on minimizing the risk of infectious diseases through vector monitoring and control advancement.
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also guided information on major infectious disease carriers such as mosquitoes and ticks and preventive measures that the public can practice in daily life.
First of all, mosquitoes reproduce mainly in stagnant water (pitches, rain-stained potted saucers, etc.), and only females lay their eggs through vampires. In general, it is active in summer, but in recent years, due to rising temperatures and urbanization, the period of activity has been prolonged and has appeared at high density in urban areas.
Typical mosquito-borne infectious diseases include ▲ Japanese encephalitis, ▲ malaria, ▲ dengue fever, and ▲ Zika virus infection. Among them, Japanese encephalitis and malaria are constantly occurring in Korea, and dengue fever and Zika virus infection only occur overseas.
The main types of mosquitoes living in Korea include spotted-winged mosquitoes, house mosquitoes, and forest mosquitoes.
In order to prevent mosquito infection, homes should remove water from potted pots, drains, and waste containers that can accumulate water to block mosquito habitats, and take good care of insect screens to prevent mosquitoes from entering the house. In addition, it is effective to wear clothes that minimize skin exposure such as long sleeves and long pants when going out, and to use a repellent in the exposed area. In particular, it is recommended to use tents equipped with mosquito nets during summer camping or outdoor activities, mosquito repellents or electric mosquitoes. When visiting epidemic areas such as malaria, dengue fever, and Zika virus infections when traveling abroad, mosquito avoidance behavior (refrain from night activities, wear long clothes, and use repellents) can be thoroughly avoided, and in case of malaria, consult with medical staff before traveling to take preventive drugs. If symptoms such as high fever, headache, or rash appear after traveling, it is also important to immediately visit a medical institution and inform the medical staff of their recent travel history.
Ticks live mainly in humid and shady places, such as grasslands, outdoor grasslands, and forest neighborhoods, and spread pathogens through vampires from larvae to adults. Tadpole mites are inhabited by small dermal mites, canopy mites, Japanese mites, and mumps, and hair mites are identified as major mites.
Mite-borne infectious diseases include ▲severe fever thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS), ▲ tsutsugamushi, and ▲Lyme disease, and there are currently no vaccines developed and authorized. In particular, SFTS has a high fatality rate of about 20%, requiring special attention.
To prevent tick infection, it is recommended to minimize skin exposure by wearing long sleeves, hats, gloves, and socks during outdoor activities such as agricultural work or hiking, and to check and remove tick attachment through showers and clothing washing immediately after work.
It is also important to find and remove medical institutions immediately if you find ticks attached to your body after returning from the outside. In particular, if you have symptoms of infection such as fever, diarrhea, vomiting, and muscle pain within two weeks, you should immediately visit a medical institution for treatment. Since livestock or pets can also be hosts for ticks, it is advisable to carefully check the animal's body after outdoor activities and consult with a veterinarian if necessary to use tick control agents.
On the other hand, some of the vector-borne infectious diseases can be prepared in advance through vaccination. For example, Japanese encephalitis is provided with national vaccinations for children under the age of 12 and adults at high risk of infection. Yellow fever must be inoculated when visiting some epidemic countries such as Africa, Latin America, etc. In addition, when visiting a malaria-risk area, taking preventive drugs through prior consultation at a medical institution helps prevent infection.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
