Gwangju City Warns of Infectious Disease Risks as Measles and Dengue Fever Spread from Overseas Cases...

During Winter Vacation and Lunar New Year Holidays,
If You Have Suspicious Symptoms, Report Promptly to the Local Public Health Center

Gwangju City, Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Bang Se-hwan) urged caution against infectious diseases imported from overseas during the winter vacation and Lunar New Year holidays, when overseas travel increases, on the 19th.

Overseas Infectious Disease Prevention Guidelines Poster. Provided by Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi-do

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, a total of 49 measles patients and 193 dengue fever patients were reported in the country last year, all of whom were confirmed to have been imported from overseas or related to such cases.

Before traveling abroad, travelers should check the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency’s ‘Overseas Infectious Disease NOW’ website for information on infectious diseases to be cautious of by country and those preventable by vaccines, and prepare preventive medications and supplies. Additionally, if vaccinations are necessary, they should be completed at least two weeks prior to departure.

During overseas travel, adhering to personal hygiene rules is most important, and food should always be cooked thoroughly, while drinking bottled water or boiled water is recommended.

When engaging in outdoor activities, mosquito repellents should be applied every 3 to 4 hours to avoid mosquito and other insect bites. Contact with wild animals should be avoided as much as possible, and if bitten or scratched by an animal, simple disinfection should be performed followed by a hospital visit.

If symptoms suspected of dengue fever (fever, headache, muscle pain, etc.) are present upon entry, free dengue fever testing is available at the national quarantine station.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory infectious disease transmitted through coughing or sneezing, but it can be fully prevented through vaccination.

Adults born before January 1, 1968, are considered to have natural immunity to measles and do not require vaccination. For those born after 1968, if vaccination records, history of measles, or antibody presence are not confirmed, it is recommended to complete two doses of vaccination (at least 4 weeks apart) 4 to 6 weeks before departure.

A Gwangju City official stated, “If abnormal symptoms such as fever, cough, or diarrhea occur, minimize contact with others and consult the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency at 1339 or promptly report to the local public health center before visiting a medical institution.”

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