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 Bahrain News Agency, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) reported that a total of 52 cases were recorded 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 amid increased overseas travel and an aging population.
Out of the 52 cases, 34 were imported from abroad, while the remaining 18 were transmitted domestically, either at home or in medical facilities, through international travelers.
A KDCA official stated, "The global increase in measles is likely to result in more imported cases. The risk of rapid outbreaks remains low because of our stable vaccination rates and monitoring system."