Summer travel alert: How to stay safe from measles while abroad
According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), 65 measles cases have been reported domestically as of July 5, a 40 percent increase from last year.
A striking 70.8 percent of these cases were imported from overseas, most commonly from Vietnam, followed by Thailand, Italy, Uzbekistan and Mongolia. Another 19 cases were linked to domestic transmission from imported infections.
Measles, an extremely contagious virus, is spreading rapidly again in parts of Southeast Asia, where many Korean travelers vacation. Countries like Cambodia, the Philippines, Laos and Vietnam have seen steep rises in measles cases. The KDCA warns that with global vaccination rates declining post-COVID, even brief visits to outbreak regions could expose unvaccinated travelers to the virus.
What is measles?
Measles is an airborne respiratory disease caused by the measles morbillivirus. It spreads easily through coughing, sneezing, or even breathing the same air as an infected person. It is remarkably contagious. Over 90 percent of susceptible individuals will contract the virus if exposed.
Symptoms appear after an incubation period of 7-21 days (but typically 10–12) and begin with fever, cough, runny nose and conjunctivitis. A few days later, a distinctive red rash spreads from the face to the rest of the body, often accompanied by small white spots inside the mouth. Severe cases may develop complications like pneumonia, diarrhea, middle ear infection, and in rare instances, encephalitis or subacute sclerosing panencephalitis.
Global measles outbreaks rising
According to recent data from the World Health Organization, measles continues to pose a serious global health threat, with approximately 360,000 cases reported worldwide in 2024. The disease remains prevalent not only in regions such as Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, but also in Southeast Asia, a popular destination for Korean travelers.
In 2025, several countries in the Western Pacific region reported notably high measles incidence rates. Mongolia recorded 377 cases, translating to 257.5 cases per million people, while Cambodia reported 1,097 cases, Laos with 288 cases and, Malaysia with 336 cases.
This resurgence is partly attributed to declining global vaccination coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving gaps in herd immunity. As international travel rebounds, unvaccinated or under-vaccinated individuals are more likely to encounter the virus and risk bringing it back home, potentially sparking secondary outbreaks.
Who is most at risk?
Among the 65 domestic cases this year, 76.9 percent were adults, and 55.4 percent had either not been vaccinated or were unsure of their vaccination history. Infants under 12 months, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals are especially vulnerable to severe outcomes and should avoid travel to outbreak-prone regions when possible.
How to prevent it?
Measles is preventable with two doses of the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, and rubella), typically administered at 12–15 months and again at 4–6 years of age.
For travelers under 12 months visiting high-risk areas, the KDCA recommends accelerated vaccination between 6–11 months. Children and adults with incomplete or uncertain vaccination records should get vaccinated at least two weeks before departure.
Travelers can also practice good hygiene, including frequent handwashing and mask-wearing in crowded settings. If fever, rash or respiratory symptoms appear within three weeks of returning from overseas, seek medical care immediately and inform your provider of your travel history.
Medical institutions are advised to report any suspected cases to local public health centers to prevent further spread.
"Please make sure your measles immunizations are up to date before you go abroad," said KDCA Commissioner Jee Young-mi. "And if you suspect any symptoms after travel, protect others by visiting a medical facility promptly with a mask on."
jychoi@heraldcorp.com
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Korea Herald
3 hours ago
- Korea Herald
K-parenting 101: Baby's head sculpted in sleep
In Korea, when a baby sleeps soundly, whether lying flat or with their head turned to one side, parents don't just admire the peaceful sight. They have a task at hand: gently repositioning the baby's head from side to side during sleep. It's a small but deliberate effort to prevent flat head syndrome and encourage a well-rounded head shape. While flat head syndrome is a real condition caused by constant pressure on the back or side of a baby's head, South Korean parents often have additional concerns. They believe the shape of the head forms the foundation of the face and that a flat head can interfere with the development of the baby's facial features. Since a baby's skull is still soft and developing, many Korean parents see infancy as a crucial window to shape a round, gently protruding back of the head, commonly called "jjanggu head," believing it will lead to a smaller, more sculpted face later in life. 'Jjanggu,' although best known as the Korean name for the popular Japanese animated character Shin-chan, is also a Korean word defined in dictionaries as a head shape characterized by a prominent forehead or occipital area. To prevent flat head, many parents make a habit of regularly alternating their baby's sleeping position from one side to the other. Some position their newborns to sleep on their sides or even on their stomachs, to avoid putting pressure on the back of the baby's head. There are even side-sleeping pillows on the market designed for newborns to lie on their side and wrap their little arms around the cushion. But many pediatricians in Korea and other countries strongly warn against putting babies to sleep on their stomachs or sides, as it has been directly linked to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. There have been numerous cases of infants dying while sleeping face-down. Just last year, a baby at a daycare center in Daegu died during a nap after being placed in a prone position following lunch. Some parents, unwilling to choose between safety and aesthetics, turn to head-shaping pillows featuring a dip in the middle. They are advertised as softly cradling the baby's head and preventing flattening. However, a local pediatrician surnamed Song says that those pillows are a product of Korea's beauty-obsessed parenting culture, calling them a form of "misleading marketing." "In most cases, a baby's head shape naturally corrects itself with growth. Sleeping face-down can block a baby's airway or interfere with body temperature regulation, so it requires special caution," he said. Next time you see a 'jjanggu' pillow online while shopping for a baby shower gift in Korea, remember that it's not about the anime character but about "K-beauty" starting in infancy.
Korea Herald
16 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Korean expertise vital for Egypt's sustainable aviation: minister
Egypt is eyeing closer cooperation with South Korea for the country's transition to a sustainable and smart aviation system, said Sameh El-Hefny, Egypt's minister of civil aviation, in an interview with The Korea Herald. El-Hefny visited Incheon to attend the International Conference on Aviation Cooperation (CIAT 2025), Korea's leading triennial aviation conference for global cooperation and the future of air transport. 'South Korea possesses advanced expertise in smart technologies and transport systems," said El-Hefny, expressing his willingness to work with Korean companies to modernize Egypt's aviation system. Referring to Egypt's progress toward green infrastructure, he cited Borg El Arab International Airport, located 40 kilometers southwest of Alexandria, Egypt, as a 'pioneering model' for environmentally friendly development in the region. Borg El Arab serves as the main international gateway for Alexandria, Egypt's northern coast and the Nile Delta, with capacity to handle 3.5-4 million passengers and 10,000 tons of cargo annually. El-Hefny highlighted the airport's focus on reducing carbon emissions and generating solar energy, calling it a key step toward sustainable infrastructure, featuring advanced technology and reinforcing Egypt's role as a global aviation hub. According to El-Hefny, partnering with South Korea will enhance tourism, boost regional connectivity and advance Egypt's Vision 2030 for sustainable development. El-Hefny was in South Korea to attend CIAT 2025 last week, hosted by South Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. On the sidelines of the event, he held bilateral talks with his Korean counterpart, Transport Minister Park Sang-woo. He described the visit as 'a manifestation of civil aviation diplomacy,' highlighting Egypt's push for digital transformation and sustainability while strengthening aviation ties with South Korea.
Korea Herald
a day ago
- Korea Herald
Summer travel alert: How to stay safe from measles while abroad
As international travel surges this summer, so does the risk of measles infection. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), 65 measles cases have been reported domestically as of July 5, a 40 percent increase from last year. A striking 70.8 percent of these cases were imported from overseas, most commonly from Vietnam, followed by Thailand, Italy, Uzbekistan and Mongolia. Another 19 cases were linked to domestic transmission from imported infections. Measles, an extremely contagious virus, is spreading rapidly again in parts of Southeast Asia, where many Korean travelers vacation. Countries like Cambodia, the Philippines, Laos and Vietnam have seen steep rises in measles cases. The KDCA warns that with global vaccination rates declining post-COVID, even brief visits to outbreak regions could expose unvaccinated travelers to the virus. What is measles? Measles is an airborne respiratory disease caused by the measles morbillivirus. It spreads easily through coughing, sneezing, or even breathing the same air as an infected person. It is remarkably contagious. Over 90 percent of susceptible individuals will contract the virus if exposed. Symptoms appear after an incubation period of 7-21 days (but typically 10–12) and begin with fever, cough, runny nose and conjunctivitis. A few days later, a distinctive red rash spreads from the face to the rest of the body, often accompanied by small white spots inside the mouth. Severe cases may develop complications like pneumonia, diarrhea, middle ear infection, and in rare instances, encephalitis or subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. Global measles outbreaks rising According to recent data from the World Health Organization, measles continues to pose a serious global health threat, with approximately 360,000 cases reported worldwide in 2024. The disease remains prevalent not only in regions such as Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, but also in Southeast Asia, a popular destination for Korean travelers. In 2025, several countries in the Western Pacific region reported notably high measles incidence rates. Mongolia recorded 377 cases, translating to 257.5 cases per million people, while Cambodia reported 1,097 cases, Laos with 288 cases and, Malaysia with 336 cases. This resurgence is partly attributed to declining global vaccination coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving gaps in herd immunity. As international travel rebounds, unvaccinated or under-vaccinated individuals are more likely to encounter the virus and risk bringing it back home, potentially sparking secondary outbreaks. Who is most at risk? Among the 65 domestic cases this year, 76.9 percent were adults, and 55.4 percent had either not been vaccinated or were unsure of their vaccination history. Infants under 12 months, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals are especially vulnerable to severe outcomes and should avoid travel to outbreak-prone regions when possible. How to prevent it? Measles is preventable with two doses of the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, and rubella), typically administered at 12–15 months and again at 4–6 years of age. For travelers under 12 months visiting high-risk areas, the KDCA recommends accelerated vaccination between 6–11 months. Children and adults with incomplete or uncertain vaccination records should get vaccinated at least two weeks before departure. Travelers can also practice good hygiene, including frequent handwashing and mask-wearing in crowded settings. If fever, rash or respiratory symptoms appear within three weeks of returning from overseas, seek medical care immediately and inform your provider of your travel history. Medical institutions are advised to report any suspected cases to local public health centers to prevent further spread. "Please make sure your measles immunizations are up to date before you go abroad," said KDCA Commissioner Jee Young-mi. "And if you suspect any symptoms after travel, protect others by visiting a medical facility promptly with a mask on." jychoi@
