Summer Vacation Dengue Fever Alert... Enhanced Preemptive Surveillance at Airports and Harbors

Free Rapid Testing Available for Suspicious Symptoms

The quarantine authorities are strengthening proactive surveillance for 'dengue fever,' one of the representative infectious diseases transmitted by mosquitoes. This is due to a sharp increase in domestic dengue fever cases and the expected rise in the risk of importation through overseas travel during the vacation season, signaling a commitment to more active quarantine measures.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) announced on the 30th that active surveillance for dengue fever will be expanded to 13 airport and port quarantine stations, and from next month until November, rapid diagnostic tests for suspected dengue infections will be provided free of charge.

Dengue fever presents symptoms such as fever, severe headache, muscle pain, joint pain, and rash. About 5% of all patients may progress to severe dengue infection (dengue hemorrhagic fever or dengue shock syndrome). Without proper treatment, the fatality rate can reach 20%.

Aedes albopictus mosquito, the vector of dengue fever.

Globally, dengue fever cases have increased more than tenfold over the past 20 years. Although there have been no indigenous cases in Korea to date, the Aedes albopictus mosquito, which transmits dengue fever, inhabits all regions, and the number of imported cases is rising, raising concerns about local transmission. As of the 24th of this month, there have been 55 domestic dengue fever cases, a 5.5-fold increase compared to 10 cases during the same period last year.

Last year, the KDCA conducted active surveillance for dengue fever patients at the quarantine stage to block domestic importation. Through this, three confirmed cases were early detected among 110 travelers suspected of dengue infection at the Busan and Gimhae Airport quarantine stations. This year, the surveillance will be expanded to 13 quarantine stations, and rapid diagnostic tests will be provided free of charge to Korean nationals entering through these airports and ports who exhibit fever, mosquito bites, or other dengue symptoms. Additionally, information on infection prevention and how to respond if symptoms occur will be promoted to both arrivals and departures.

However, since the rapid diagnostic test for dengue fever is a simple kit test, the KDCA explained that those who test positive should carry the positive confirmation certificate issued by the quarantine station and visit a nearby medical institution for diagnosis and treatment. Director Ji Young-mi urged, "Please familiarize yourself with dengue fever prevention guidelines before traveling to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip, and if you suspect dengue infection after traveling, get a rapid diagnostic test at the quarantine station."

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