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Health authorities warn of infectious diseases transmitted from overseas
Check-in counters at Incheon International Airport are crowded, June 20. Newsis
By Jun Ji-hye
By Jun Ji-hye
Health authorities urged people to guard against infectious diseases transmitted from other countries, as the number of cases of such diseases, including malaria, has risen by more than five times year-on-year amid increasing overseas travel following the easing of many rules and regulations put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said Tuesday that the number of cases of seven infectious diseases transmitted from overseas stood at 145 as of July 15, up by 27 from a year earlier.
The seven diseases are shigellosis, cholera, measles, dengue fever, chikungunya fever, zika virus disease and malaria. In particular, cases of shigellosis, measles and zika virus disease were zero last year, but rose to 15, four and one this year, respectively.
Shigellosis and cholera are water- or food-borne diseases. The KDCA said people should refrain from drinking unsanitary water or eating raw food, and wash hands frequently while traveling.
Measles is a respiratory tract infection that can be transmitted very easily through coughing or sneezing.
The authorities said there is more than a 90 percent chance that those unvaccinated against measles or with compromised immune systems will be infected if they come in direct contact with a measles patient.
Measles cases have been increasing in India, the Middle East and Africa, the KDCA said, calling on people unvaccinated against the disease to get two vaccine shots at a four-week interval at least, four to six weeks before they depart the country.
Dengue fever, chikungunya fever, zika virus disease and malaria are mosquito-borne diseases.
Cases of such diseases have been on the rise throughout the world amid increasing mosquito habitats and population resulting from climate change.
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The KDCA advised people to wear long sleeves and pants when outdoors as avoiding mosquitoes is the best way to prevent mosquito-borne diseases.
The agency added that there is a preventive medicine for malaria, advising people to get a prescription from a doctor and take the medicine in advance.
“People are advised to check information related to the infectious diseases of nations they plan to travel to, before departing the country,” KDCA Commissioner Jee Young-mee said.
“If you experience any symptoms associated with the diseases after returning home, you should visit a medical institution and notify medical staff of your travel history so they can provide prompt diagnosis and treatment.”