A Measles Outbreak in a Local Children’s Hospital in Korea, 2019
- Author:
Hyejin SO
1
;
Kyung Min KIM
;
Eun Young BAE
;
Eun Young CHO
Author Information
- Publication Type:Brief Communication
- From:Journal of Korean Medical Science 2023;38(3):e28-
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: A measles outbreak with 20 confirmed cases occurred at a local children’s hospital in Daejeon from March 28 to April 21, 2019. The index patient was a 7-month-old girl with a recent history of travel to Vietnam. Contact tracing, active surveillance, and post-exposure prophylaxis were conducted by health authorities. Among the 20 patients, 11 (55%) were infants (0–11 months of age), three (15%) were aged 1–3 years, one (5%) was aged 4 years, and five (25%) were adults. Fifteen (75%) patients did not have a history of measles vaccination, and five (25%) had received only one vaccine dose. This study described the importance of prompt application of infection control measures in susceptible environments, including hospitals. Age-appropriate vaccination and providing information on infectious diseases to international travelers and multicultural families in Korea is vital.
