As Overseas Travel Increases... Imported Cases of 7 Infectious Diseases Rise Fivefold

As COVID-19 becomes endemic with periodic outbreaks, overseas travel has increased, leading to a rise in imported infectious disease cases. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) on the 25th, the total number of cases of seven types of imported infectious diseases this year (as of July 15) reached 154, about five times higher than the 27 cases during the same period last year. The KDCA has identified seven infectious diseases to watch out for during overseas travel: two waterborne foodborne diseases (bacillary dysentery, cholera), one respiratory infectious disease (measles), and four mosquito-borne infectious diseases (dengue fever, chikungunya fever, Zika virus infection, malaria).

The number of imported bacillary dysentery cases surged to 15 this year, whereas none were reported during the same period last year. Dysentery mainly occurs in Southeast Asian countries such as the Philippines, India, and Vietnam, and symptoms include high fever, vomiting, cramping abdominal pain, diarrhea (with blood or mucus), and a sensation of incomplete defecation. Contaminated water and food are the transmission vectors. Cholera infection causes watery diarrhea resembling rice water and vomiting; 5-10% of infected individuals may experience dehydration and hypovolemic shock, which can be fatal in severe cases. To prevent waterborne and foodborne infectious diseases, it is essential to avoid consuming water and food of uncertain hygiene, eat thoroughly cooked food, and follow personal hygiene practices such as frequent handwashing.

There have been four imported cases of measles, a respiratory infectious disease, this year. No cases were reported from 2020 through last year. Measles is an infectious disease with many reported cases in India, the Middle East, and Africa, transmitted through droplets from coughing or sneezing. Infection causes high fever and a rash all over the body, and more than 90% of people with insufficient immunity to measles become infected upon contact with a patient. The KDCA recommends that citizens planning overseas travel check whether they have received two doses of the measles vaccine (MMR) before traveling. If they have not completed two doses or are unsure of their vaccination status, they should complete two doses (at least four weeks apart) 4 to 6 weeks before departure.

Cases of mosquito-borne infectious diseases have also increased significantly. Dengue fever cases rose from 14 last year during this period to 76 this year. Patients infected with chikungunya fever (3→7), Zika virus infection (0→1), and malaria (10→42) are also on the rise. The most important preventive measure against mosquito-borne infectious diseases is to avoid mosquito bites. The KDCA emphasized the need to wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants and use mosquito repellents while traveling.

The KDCA urged, “Citizens traveling abroad should adhere to the ‘Overseas Travel Infectious Disease Prevention Guidelines’ throughout all stages of travel?from preparation, during the trip, to returning home?to avoid contracting infectious diseases.”

Upon returning from travel, travelers entering from quarantine management areas must accurately enter their health status through the Quarantine Information Pre-Entry System (Q-CODE) before arrival. If any abnormal symptoms occur during entry, they should report to quarantine officers. If suspicious symptoms arise after passing through quarantine, travelers should notify the Overseas Infectious Disease Reporting Center or call 1339, and if symptoms persist, promptly visit a medical institution.

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