Domestic patients who contracted measles after traveling abroad, including Vietnam, are on the rise. Health authorities noted that measles is currently spreading worldwide and advised caution, including vaccination, during overseas trips.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said, "Of the 18 patients reported recently in the country, 13 have a travel history to Vietnam," and added, "If planning a trip abroad, including Vietnam, one should be cautious of measles infection."
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory infection that spreads through coughs or sneezes. Symptoms include fever, rash, and Koplik's spots in the mouth.
According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, there were a total of 49 measles patients last year, while this year, as of the day before (6th), a total of 16 cases have been reported. All cases were linked to either travel abroad or contact with infected individuals in the country. In particular, of the confirmed cases, 13 patients who traveled to Vietnam were reported between December last year and until March this year. Of the 13 measles patients with a travel history to Vietnam since December of last year, all but one were either unaware of or had no history of measles vaccination.
The ages of the confirmed patients range from 0 years (3 patients) to those in their 50s. Four patients are infants who were too young to receive their first measles vaccination (between 12 and 15 months). Their duration of stay ranged from a minimum of 5 days to a maximum of 1.5 months, and they exhibited symptoms such as fever, cough, and runny nose, which are associated with measles, followed by a rash after returning to their home country.
According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of measles patients from last year until February of this year was approximately 330,000, with the highest numbers reported in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency estimated that Vietnam is not the country with the highest reported measles cases, but that the continuous reports of measles among patients with travel histories to Vietnam are due to Vietnam being a preferred destination for domestic travelers.
Individuals with insufficient immunity who come into contact with a measles patient can become infected at rates greater than 90%. However, this can be sufficiently prevented through vaccination, so it is essential to administer the measles vaccine (MMR) twice, at ages 12 to 15 months and again at ages 4 to 6.
Administrator Ji Yeong-mi said, "As measles is spreading globally, ensure that you have received both doses of the measles vaccine (MMR) before traveling, and if you have not completed the two doses or are uncertain of your vaccination status, that is, if there is no evidence of immunity, you must complete the two doses (with a minimum 4-week interval) at least six weeks before departure."
Administrator Ji added, "If you experience fever accompanied by cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis, or rash after traveling abroad, you should visit a medical institution immediately, inform them of your travel history, and seek treatment," and urged, "Medical institutions should actively conduct tests and report to the relevant health authorities."
Infants under 1 year of age with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of complications from measles, such as pneumonia, otitis media, and encephalitis, thus they should refrain as much as possible from visiting countries with measles outbreaks.