Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team May 04, 2025 3 hours, 45 minutes ago
Medical News: Growing Concerns Despite WHO Measles Free Status
South Korea is facing an unexpected rise in measles infections, with 2025 marking the highest number of confirmed cases in the last six years. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), 52 measles cases have been officially recorded as of early May this year. This surpasses the 49 cases reported throughout all of 2024 and represents a concerning trend for a nation that has long been recognized as measles-free by the World Health Organization (WHO) since 2014.
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250504001900315
South Korea Faces Sharp Rise in Measles Cases After Years of Stability
Of the 52 cases, 34 were identified as infections acquired overseas—mostly from travelers returning from Vietnam—while the remaining 18 were the result of domestic transmission. These local infections primarily occurred in households and healthcare settings after contact with those returning from abroad. This
Medical News report explores how South Korea, despite its robust health infrastructure and high immunization rates, is now confronting a resurgence of a disease once considered eliminated from its population.
A Global Pattern Emerges
The KDCA reassured the public that while the case numbers are rising, the risk of a widespread outbreak remains low. South Korea continues to maintain strong national vaccination coverage and an effective disease monitoring system. However, health officials admitted that as global measles cases increase, South Korea is likely to experience more imported infections in the coming months. This aligns with growing trends seen in other developed nations.
The situation in South Korea reflects a larger global problem. The United States is currently battling its worst measles resurgence in decades, with over 935 cases reported in 2025 so far. Most of these were linked to a prolonged outbreak in Texas that has since spread to New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Kansas. In Canada, Ontario alone has logged over 1,200 cases, and Mexico’s state of Chihuahua is reporting 844 infections. Alarmingly, all three nations are dealing with the same strain of the measles virus, suggesting a common source or pattern of transmission.
Why Measles Is Back
Measles is an extremely contagious viral disease that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or even breathes near others. One person can infect up to 18 others if they are not immune. Despite the availability of the highly effective two-dose Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccine, global immunization rates have declined in recent years.
Experts believe the drop in vaccination coverage is mainly due to misinformation about vaccine safety, distrust in public health authorities, and rising political polarization around the issue, particularly in the United States. Unvaccinated individuals are at much greater risk of contracting and spreading the disease. As travel resumes post-p
andemic and population immunity wanes in some regions, the conditions are ripe for measles to make a comeback.
South Korea’s Previous Eradication Efforts
South Korea's fight against measles began earnestly in the early 2000s. Between 2001 and 2002, the country experienced a massive outbreak with over 55,000 cases. In response, the government launched an intensive nationwide eradication campaign, and by 2006, it declared the disease eliminated. This led to WHO recognition in 2014, officially labeling the country as measles-free.
The country’s case numbers reflected this success: just six cases in 2020, none in 2021 and 2022, and only eight in 2023. However, the gradual lifting of COVID-19 travel restrictions and the resumption of international movement have coincided with an uptick in imported cases. This year’s 52 infections are a stark reminder of how quickly progress can be undone if vigilance wanes.
Other Old Diseases Reemerging
Measles is not the only disease returning to South Korea’s radar. The KDCA has also observed a rise in cases of tuberculosis and scabies, conditions more commonly associated with developing countries. Experts believe factors like increased global travel, aging populations, and possibly declining hygiene standards in some areas could be contributing to the resurgence of these “regressive infectious diseases.”
While South Korea’s internal healthcare infrastructure remains strong, health officials emphasize the need for public awareness and continued vaccination efforts, especially for children and international travelers. The country’s ability to detect, isolate, and respond quickly to infections will be crucial in preventing further outbreaks.
A Cautionary Tale for the World
South Korea’s recent spike in measles cases serves as a wake-up call for other nations. Even in countries with high vaccination rates and robust public health systems, imported cases can quickly lead to domestic spread, especially in households, schools, and hospitals. It highlights the importance of global cooperation in disease surveillance, transparent data sharing, and consistent public health messaging.
The situation also reinforces the critical role of vaccination. Without high levels of immunization, no country—regardless of wealth or development—can be completely safe from once-eradicated diseases. As the world continues to grapple with new viral threats, we must not neglect the old ones, especially those that have proven how quickly they can return when given the chance.
For the latest on Measles, keep on logging to Thailand
Medical News.
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/lab-confirmed-measles-cases-rise-to-1020-in-ontario-with-many-children-experiencing-disease-severity
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/can-sars-cov-2-reactivate-dormant-measles-virus
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/measles-infections-can-lead-to-otosclerosis
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/measles
https://www.thailandmedical.news/pages/thailand_doctors_listings
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