If Traveling to Southeast Asia... Beware of 'This Disease' Warned by the KDCA

Spread of 'Mosquito-Borne' Infectious Diseases in Southeast Asia Including Vietnam
Beware of Dengue Fever and Others Due to Lack of Preventive Vaccines

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] As the number of travelers going abroad during the year-end and New Year holidays increases, there is a sharp rise in mosquito-borne infectious disease patients such as dengue fever, making special caution necessary when traveling to Southeast Asia.

Recently, the number of mosquito-borne infectious disease patients entering the country has surged. According to the Seoul Institute of Health and Environment on the 16th, there were no dengue fever patients in Seoul last year, but 34 cases have been reported from January to last month this year.

Dengue fever is an acute febrile illness transmitted by bites from forest mosquitoes infected with the dengue virus. After an incubation period of 3 to 14 days, symptoms such as headache, musculoskeletal pain, and rash appear. The severity and clinical manifestations of the disease may vary depending on age, and especially in children, dehydration can cause decreased consciousness or febrile seizures, so caution is required.

On August 15 (local time), a quarantine worker wearing protective clothing is spraying disinfectant to prevent the spread of dengue fever in San Juan City, Metro Manila, the capital region of the Philippines. Photo by AP Yonhap News

Cases of Zika virus infection have also occurred after visiting Southeast Asian countries. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), as of last month, two cases of Zika virus infection confirmed in Korea were diagnosed after visiting the Philippines and Thailand, respectively.

The surge in mosquito-borne infectious disease patients entering the country is attributed to the increase in travelers to Southeast Asia. As COVID-19 quarantine guidelines were eased, the number of overseas travelers increased during the winter, naturally leading to more people traveling to the traditionally popular destination of Southeast Asia.

In a ranking of popular package tour destinations surveyed by Interpark earlier this month, Vietnam ranked first with 20%. It was followed by ▲Japan (15%) ▲Philippines (10%) ▲Thailand (9%).

Currently, mosquito-borne infectious diseases are spreading in Southeast Asian countries. According to KDCA, as of September, the number of dengue fever patients in Southeast Asian countries was ▲Vietnam 224,771 ▲Philippines 160,956 ▲Thailand 19,484 ▲Indonesia 94,355. In the case of Zika virus infection, all Southeast Asian regions are considered at risk.

KDCA urged caution to avoid mosquito-borne infections when visiting Southeast Asian countries. If suspicious symptoms appear within two weeks after being bitten by mosquitoes in risk countries for mosquito-borne infections such as dengue fever and Zika virus, immediate medical attention should be sought. Suspicious symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain, joint pain, and rash. Since there are no preventive vaccines for both diseases, it is most important to avoid mosquito bites.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.