"Swarming mosquitoes worry Korean airport officials"

Monday, July 26, 2004

Swarming mosquitoes worry airport officials
by Kim Ki-chan
South Korea - Joongang Ilbo


Incheon International Airport is under siege but it's not the swarms of
summer passengers causing the trouble, it's the swarms of voracious
mosquitoes that live near the airport. Reportedly, mosquitoes are being
cited as a major inconvenience by passengers using the airport. 

To cope with the problem, the airport launched a special unit in May to
clean out suspect mosquito lairs near the airport, such as swamps. 

However, these efforts seem to have borne little fruit: The soaring
temperatures and recent rains are creating perfect breeding conditions. 

"The airport is the first gate for visitors to our country so it has to
be cleaner than anywhere else; if they are greeted with mosquitoes, our
image among foreigners is not going to be great," said Park Gyu-seon, an
airport official. 

As malaria epidemics are common is some East Asian nations in the
summer, airport officials worry that the mosquitoes around the airport
may be carrying such diseases. They are urging passengers to beware of
mosquitoes and has ordered employees to report any sightings. 

The airport has also placed 80 mosquito killer sprays around its
precincts, and will continue containment activities until September.


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