Seoul: South Korea has confirmed 52 cases of measles so far this year, health authorities said Sunday, marking the nation's highest confirmed cases in six years amid a global resurgence of infectious diseases once deemed to be eradicated.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) reported that a total of 52 cases were identified in the country this year as of Thursday. This number surpasses last year's total of 49 cases and is the highest figure since 2019, when 194 cases were confirmed.
South Korea was recognized as a measles-free country by the World Health Organization in 2014. However, the number of cases appears to have increased this year due to increased overseas travel and the aging population.
Of the 52 cases, 34 were imported from abroad, primarily from Vietnam, while the remaining 18 were transmitted domestically at home or medical facilities through international travelers.
"The global increase in measles is likely to result in more imported cases," a KDCA official stated. "The risk of rapid outbreaks remains low because of our stable vaccination rates and monitoring system."
Officials also mentioned that other diseases typically associated with less developed countries, such as tuberculosis and scabies, are showing an upward trend.