[Current Status of Domestic Mosquito Control in 2022]

In the Republic of Korea, mosquitoes are an important vector of various diseases, including malaria and Japanese encephalitis. As mandated by the [Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act], the Public Health Center must implement vector control to suppress the occurrence and spread of mosquito-borne diseases. This survey investigates the status of mosquito control was confirmed by the insecticide purchased by the Public Health Center. The 2022 insecticide purchases amounted to 29,654 million won, representing a 5.3% increase (1,500 million won) compared to 2021. The purchase rate of chemical insecticides was confirmed a 72.1% comparing eco-friendly insecticides at 5.5%. Classification of insecticides by mode of action resulted in a total of 12 classes, with the pyrethroid accounting for the largest proportion (51.4%). When comparing insecticide purchase rates by growth stage, the adulticide purchase rate (72.5%) was higher than the larvicide purchase (27.5%). Analysis of insecticides purchased by public institutions, reveals a dependence on chemical control for adult mosquitos. However, long-term use of chemicals has a number of side effects, including the development of insecticide resistance. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a new control strategy that reduces the side effects of chemical agents by using eco-friendly or physical control instead of chemical control, while also targeting both adults and larvae in an appropriate ratio.