title: Surveillance and vector control of lymphatic filariasis in the republic of Korea.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Until the early 2000s, lymphatic filariasis would commonly break out in the coastal areas in Korea. Through steady efforts combining investigation and treatment, filariasis was officially declared eradicated in 2008. This study surveyed the density of vector species of filariasis in past endemic areas, and inspected filariasis DNA from collected mosquitoes for protection against the reemergence of filariasis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between May and October 2009, mosquitoes were caught using the black night trap in past endemic coastal areas: Gyeongsangnam-do, Jeollanamdo, and Jeju-do. The collected mosquitoes were identified, and the extracted DNA from the collected vector mosquitoes was tested by polymerase chain reaction for Brugia malayi filariasis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ochletotatus togoi, Anophel es (Hyrcanus) group and Culex pipiens were most frequently caught in Jeollanam-do (Geomun Island, Bogil Island, Heuksan Island), Jeju-do (Namone-ri, Wimi-ri). and Gyeongsangnam-do (Maemul Island). DNA of B malayi was not found in Och Togoi and An (Hyrcanus) group as main vectors of filariasis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lymphatic filariasis was not found in the vector mosquitoes collected in past endemic areas. However, considering that the proportion of vector species is quite high, there is a potential risk that filariasis could be reemerging through overseas travel or trade. Thus, there is a need to continuously monitor vector mosquitoes of lymphatic filariasis.
authors.affiliation: Division of Malaria and Parasitic Diseases, Korea National Institute of Health, Osong, Korea.
authors.forename: Shin Hyeong
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Da Won
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Bo Ra
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Koo
authors.forename: Hee Eun
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Wook Kyo
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Byong Suk
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.forename: Chaeshin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: Won Ja
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hyeng Il
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Cheun
keywords: Anopheles (Hyrcanus) group; Brugia malayi filariasis; Ochletotatus togoi; vector mosquitoes