Seventeen Measles Cases Reported Nationwide... Seven in Honam Region Alone

Check for Overseas Travel History, Including Vietnam
Symptoms Include Full-body Rash and Oral Lesions Upon Infection
"Vaccination is Essential, Immediate Reporting Required if Symptoms Occur"

The Honam Regional Disease Response Center of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (Director: Yoon Junghwan) has issued a warning as measles is currently spreading not only nationwide but also within the Honam region.

According to the Honam Regional Disease Response Center on the 20th, there have been a total of 17 cases of measles reported in Korea as of the first week of March this year, with 4 cases in the Honam region. Since then, the number increased by 3, reaching a total of 7 cases as of the 18th.

The first measles patient in the Honam region was a foreign national who entered Korea (Jeju) after traveling to Vietnam. Recently reported infant and toddler cases have also been linked to travel history to Vietnam.

Measles is transmitted through the air by coughing or sneezing, and is a highly contagious disease?over 90% of people with insufficient immunity who come into contact with a measles patient can become infected.

Although symptoms may vary between individuals, infection typically causes fever, a rash covering the body, and oral lesions (Koplik’s spots). Infants with weak immune systems are at high risk of developing complications such as pneumonia, otitis media, and encephalitis, so extra caution is needed to prevent infection.

Korea was certified as a measles elimination country by the WHO in 2014, and the childhood measles vaccination rate is high (MMR first dose: 93%, second dose: 97%). However, there is a risk of outbreaks among infants who have not yet reached the vaccination age (under 12 months old), or among people who lack immunity or whose immunity has waned.

Therefore, before traveling to countries with ongoing measles outbreaks such as Vietnam or the Philippines, individuals should check their measles vaccination (MMR) status. Those who have not completed two doses or whose vaccination status is uncertain should receive two doses (at least four weeks apart) 4 to 6 weeks before departure.

In particular, if infants under one year of age (6 to 11 months) must visit a country with a measles outbreak, accelerated measles vaccination is recommended.

Yoon Junghwan, Director of the Honam Regional Disease Response Center, stated, "The most effective way to prevent measles is MMR vaccination," and added, "We request the cooperation of medical institutions for prompt reporting and efforts to prevent early detection and community transmission of measles."