[Pilot Project for Early Diagnosis of Malaria Infection Using a Hematology Analyzer]

Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease that occurs mainly in areas near the demilitarized zone in the Republic of Korea (ROK). The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency is implementing a second Malaria Re-elimination Action Plan (2024-2028) to achieve malaria elimination by 2030. The active and early diagnosis of malaria is essential to achieve this goal. Therefore, a pilot project using hematological analysis was planned and implemented to enable the early detection of malaria in asymptomatic or unsuspected individuals.

A total of 47 medical institutions (including public health centers, hospitals, military hospitals, and commercial reference laboratories) in malaria-risk areas participated in this pilot project. When infected red blood cells (iRBC) were identified through hematological analysis, individuals were classified as suspected cases and referred for confirmatory malaria testing. Monthly data were collected and analyzed to determine the number of iRBC detections, confirmatory tests for malaria, and malaria-positive cases.

Between April and October 2024, among 7.27 million hematologic analyses, 1,359 cases of iRBC were detected. Among the 499 cases referred for confirmatory diagnosis, 239 were confirmed as malaria positive.

In terms of improving malaria control, it is important to confirm the possibility of an early malaria diagnosis using the existing medical systems without additional budget and human resources. Proactive confirmatory testing for individuals with iRBC, along with the appropriate funding support, can significantly enhance the early detection of infections and serve as an effective strategy for achieving malaria elimination goals in ROK.