Optimal Interventions for Plasmodium vivax Malaria Control in Seoul: A Cost-Benefit Analysis of Tafenoquine and Non-Pharmaceutical Strategies

JiwonHan

Konkuk University

"Optimal Interventions for Plasmodium vivax Malaria Control in Seoul: A Cost-Benefit Analysis of Tafenoquine and Non-Pharmaceutical Strategies"

The increase in Plasmodium vivax malaria cases in Korea highlights the necessity to reevaluate intervention strategies as climate patterns change. In 2024, confirmed cases rose by 37% compared to the previous three years' average, along with an increase in vector mosquito populations. In response, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KCDA) expanded designated malaria risk areas in Seoul. Effective control depends on optimizing non-pharmaceutical interventions with primaquine-based treatment. As tafenoquine emerges as a potential alternative treatment, evaluating its impact on malaria transmission, relapse rate and cost-effectiveness within public health systems is essential. To address these issues, we developed a mathematical model incorporating climate variability to assess the effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical interventions under different climate scenarios. Using the Improved Multi-Objective Differential Evolution (IMODE) algorithm, we analyzed the optimal interventions based on observed malaria control measures. Our results suggest that optimal intervention strategies can significantly reduce malaria transmission and relapse rate, highlighting the cost-effectiveness of tafenoquine and optimal intervention approaches in Korea’s malaria control measures.
Additional authors:

---