36 Confirmed Cases of Measles After Infection During Overseas Travel
Highly Contagious, But Preventable Through Vaccination
As measles continues to spread worldwide, health authorities have urged the public to closely monitor for suspected measles symptoms after traveling abroad.
On May 7, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) stated, "If you develop a fever or rash within three weeks of returning from countries where measles is prevalent, such as Vietnam, the Philippines, China, or Cambodia, please wear a mask and visit a nearby medical facility for examination."
An MMR vaccine tray at a vaccine clinic set up by the Texas Department of State Health Services due to an increase in measles cases in West Texas. Photo by AFP Yonhap News
When visiting a hospital, patients should inform medical staff of their recent overseas travel history before receiving treatment. If a healthcare professional suspects a case of measles, they must immediately report it to the local public health center.
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory infection that can be transmitted through the air. The main symptoms include fever, rash, and grayish-white spots inside the mouth. The incubation period ranges from 7 to 21 days, and over 90% of people without immunity can become infected after contact with a patient.
Although measles is highly contagious, it is a disease that can be effectively prevented through vaccination. In Korea, children receive two doses of the measles vaccine: once at 12 to 15 months of age and again at 4 to 6 years old.
Most patients recover without special treatment, simply by resting and maintaining adequate hydration and nutrition. However, infants under 12 months with weakened immune systems are at risk of complications such as pneumonia, otitis media, and encephalitis if they contract measles, so extra caution is needed to prevent infection.
It is best to avoid visiting countries where measles is prevalent. If travel is unavoidable, it is recommended that infants aged 6 to 11 months receive a measles vaccination before departure.
According to the KDCA, as of May 3, there have been 52 confirmed measles cases in Korea. This is 1.3 times higher than the 39 cases reported during the same period last year. Of these, 69.2% (36 cases) were imported cases, where individuals were infected while traveling abroad and diagnosed after returning to Korea.
Measles Prevention Guidelines Provided by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency
Among the imported cases, 33 were from Vietnam, and one case each was reported from Uzbekistan, Thailand, and Italy. These imported cases led to an additional 16 related cases through secondary transmission in households and medical facilities. Of all patients, 73.1% (38 individuals) were adults, and 61.5% (32 individuals) had either never received the measles vaccine or were unsure of their vaccination history.
The KDCA explained that the recent increase in domestic measles cases is due to the global rise in measles infections and the continued outbreaks in Southeast Asian countries frequently visited by Korean travelers. The agency emphasized the need for continued vigilance against imported measles cases, as sporadic introductions and subsequent transmission are occurring following visits to countries experiencing measles outbreaks.
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