Malaria parasites, or micro-organisms that cause the mosquito-borne infectious disease, have been reported in South Korea for the first time this year.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) has advised people to wear long sleeves and set up nets and screens to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.

According to the KDCA, the parasites, or plasmodium, were found in ten anopheline mosquitoes collected in Paju, Gyeonggi Province in the first week of August. The detection comes about seven weeks later than last year.

Authorities are stepping up disinfection in woods near livestock sheds and areas with a large concentration of patients to suppress the insects.

KDCA director Jeong Eun-kyeong said that people showing symptoms of fever and chills after visiting border areas where malaria frequently occurs should get tested.

Incheon city and northern parts of Gyeonggi and Gangwon Province are often malaria hot spots. South Korea has reported about 500 patients annually in the past five years.

If infected, lethargy and fever can continue for days while headaches, vomiting and diarrhea can also occur.

The type of malaria contracted in Korea is mostly treatable.