Measles cases are surging in the United States. The number of confirmed cases has already surpassed 1,500, marking the highest figure in 30 years, while the spread of measles is even more severe in neighboring Canada.
On October 13 (local time), the BBC reported that "more than 150 unvaccinated students exposed to measles in South Carolina have been placed under a 21-day quarantine." According to the BBC, these students, who had been exposed to measles but had not received immunization, were not allowed to attend school and were required to isolate at home during the incubation period. South Carolina is now considered another region where measles is spreading, following outbreaks in New Mexico and Texas earlier this year that saw hundreds infected and three deaths. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of this year, there have been 1,563 confirmed cases of measles nationwide, the highest level in more than 30 years.
The quarantined students attend South Carolina Global Academy and Fairforest Elementary School, both located in Spartanburg County, South Carolina. One school serves elementary students, while the other serves both elementary and middle school students. On October 10 (local time), the state Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) announced the eighth confirmed case in two weeks had been reported in northern Greenville County. Authorities stated, "This case demonstrates that measles is actively spreading within the community in the Upstate region without being detected," and emphasized, "It is extremely important for residents to get vaccinated against measles." In addition to South Carolina, the outbreak continues with 55 cases reported in Utah and 63 in Arizona.
Earlier this year, a large-scale measles outbreak occurred in western Texas and New Mexico, infecting hundreds of people, resulting in two deaths in Texas and one in New Mexico. The BBC noted that this situation caused significant shock, as there had been no reported measles-related deaths in the United States since 2015.
Measles infections are also rapidly increasing in Canada, particularly in Alberta and Ontario, where many cases have been reported. The Canadian government has confirmed 5,024 cases so far, more than three times the number in the United States. Considering Canada's much smaller population, this is a serious situation. These figures have raised questions about why measles is spreading so quickly in Canada and whether the authorities' response measures are sufficient.
In the United States, vaccine skepticism has been identified as one of the causes of the measles outbreak. For example, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has acknowledged the safety of the measles vaccine, but he is widely regarded as a figure who has spread vaccine skepticism in general. In contrast, Canada does not have an influential vaccine skeptic like Kennedy Jr. According to UNICEF, measles is not just a problem for the United States and Canada. Over the past five years, measles has spread in 100 countries worldwide, with a sharp increase in global cases.
Measles cases are also increasing in South Korea. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, as of August 9, there have been 68 confirmed measles cases in the country this year, surpassing the 47 cases reported during the same period last year. Of these, 49 cases (72.1%) were imported, where individuals contracted measles abroad and were diagnosed after returning to Korea. The majority had visited Vietnam (42 people), followed by South Africa (3 people), and one each from Uzbekistan, Thailand, Italy, and Mongolia.
<Measles Prevention and Response Guidelines>
- All children aged 12 months and older
- Adolescents and adults who have not received a measles-containing vaccine after 12 months of age, have no history of confirmed infection, and do not have confirmed antibodies
- Vaccination schedule and method:
· Vaccination timing:
- Children: Two doses at 12-15 months and 4-6 years of age
- Adolescents and adults: At least one dose
※ Adolescents, university students, vocational trainees, healthcare workers, and international travelers should receive a second dose at least four weeks after the first
· Dosage: 0.5 mL
· Injection site and method: Subcutaneous injection on the outer side of the upper arm (intramuscular injection is possible for some products, e.g., Priorix®)
- Contraindications:
· Anaphylactic reaction to vaccine components (such as gelatin, neomycin, etc.)
· Pregnancy
· Immunosuppression and immunodeficiency (except for those infected with human immunodeficiency virus)
· When receiving blood products containing antibodies, MMR vaccination may need to be postponed depending on the type and amount administered
- Routes of infection:
· Respiratory infection through droplets from respiratory secretions or contaminated objects
- Clinical features:
· Incubation period: 10-12 days
· High fever, cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis, Koplik spots on the oral mucosa, followed by a characteristic erythematous maculopapular rash
· Complications: Diarrhea, otitis media, bronchitis, bronchiolitis, croup, bronchopneumonia, etc.
- Treatment:
· Supportive care
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