[Infection Status of Intestinal Helminths in 2023]

To reduce the infection of intestinal parasites, the Division of Vectors and Parasitic Diseases, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) have been investigated the infection rate of intestinal parasites among prevalent areas and support to anthelminthics treatment. The survey used a microscopic test method that gathers stool samples from 26,258 residents in the endemic areas. And to investigate of infection status of Enterobius vermicularis, we collected samples using the cello tape perianal swap method from 34,993 children and examined for presence of E. vermicularis eggs. The overall positive rate of intestinal parasites egg was 3.7%, a 1.6% point decrease compared to last year. The infection rate of Clonorchis sinensis was 1.9%, which was highest and followed by 1.6% for heterophyid flukes, 0.2% for Trichuris trichiura. The infection rates of intestinal parasites was highest in Gwangyang-si (12.3%). The infection rate of E. vermicularis was 0.2%, the highest rate in Jeollanam-do at 0.37%, followed by Jeju special self-governing Province at 0.17%, Chungcheongnam-do at 0.68%, Gyeongsangnam-do at 0.22%, and Gyeongsangbuk-do at 0.07%. In order to lower the rate of intestinal parasite infection, it is necessary to conduct continuous testing treatment intervention focusing on areas where liver fluke is prevalent and to carried out in parallel awareness-raising projects to reduce the risk of infection, such as improving eating habits.