Going to Vietnam... Virus Spreads with 40,000 Infections and 5 Deaths

Rapid Spread in Danang and Other Popular Destinations for Koreans
One Patient Can Infect an Average of 12 to 18 Others
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh Issues Urgent Directive to Expand Vaccination
93% Prevention After First Dose, 97% After Second Dose
Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency: "Vaccination Is Essential Before Overseas Travel"

As measles is spreading worldwide recently, the Vietnamese government has launched an emergency response as the number of measles patients has surged this year in Vietnam, a country frequently visited by Koreans.

According to local Vietnamese media on the 17th, there have been about 40,000 suspected measles cases in Vietnam this year, with 5 deaths. Among the patients, 72.7% were between 9 months and under 15 years old, and 15.3% were under 9 months. By region, the southern area accounted for the highest proportion at 57.0%.

More than half (57%) of the infected cases came from the southern region, including Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s largest city. This was followed by the central region (19.2%), the northern region (15.1%), and the Central Highlands (8.7%). The central province of Khanh Hoa, home to popular tourist destinations Da Nang and Nha Trang?often called the “Gyeonggi Danang City” due to the large number of Korean visitors?also saw a sharp increase in confirmed cases.

Measles rash cases. Data from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has issued an urgent directive to expand measles vaccination and complete it by the end of this month. The Ministry of Health expects the number of measles patients to continue rising nationwide and has instructed all regions to closely monitor the situation and prepare thoroughly. Authorities expressed concern that mountainous areas inhabited by ethnic minorities, where access to medical services is limited and vaccination rates are low, are particularly vulnerable.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory infectious disease transmitted through the air by coughing or sneezing. One infected person can infect an average of 12 to 18 others, demonstrating strong transmissibility. Symptoms include fever, widespread rash, and oral lesions. More than 90% of people with insufficient immunity to measles can become infected upon contact with a patient, but vaccination can prevent 93% of cases after the first dose and 97% after the second dose. Children aged 12 to 15 months and 4 to 6 years must receive two doses of the measles vaccine. The government provides free vaccination for the first dose at 12 to 15 months and the second dose at 4 to 6 years. Accelerated vaccination is also available free of charge for children under 12 months who are traveling abroad.

Although measles is spreading globally, the increase in patients in Vietnam is particularly notable. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 310,000 measles cases were reported worldwide last year. Europe accounted for 100,000 cases, the Middle East 90,000, and over 30,000 cases occurred in the Southeast Asia region. Notably, among the 18 domestic measles patients reported from December last year to the 6th of this month, 13 were confirmed to have traveled to Vietnam. The remaining 5 contracted the disease through contact with patients domestically. In response, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency urged, “Be sure to get vaccinated before traveling abroad, and if you experience fever or rash symptoms after traveling, suspect measles.”