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| A rash is one measles system. |
By Oh Young-jin
More cases of measles have been reported, with the latest in areas adjacent to Seoul. Twenty-six cases have been confirmed.
According to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Monday, eight confirmed cases were in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, over the weekend ― five toddlers and infants, with the remaining three among their parents. One case was discovered in Siheung, also in Gyeonggi Province.
The first case was reported in Daegu, on Dec. 17.
The 26 cases included 15 aged four or under, with parents and medical staff making up the rest.
The KCDC said the virus originated from Southeast Asia but none of the confirmed cases had records of traveling to the region recently. An investigation is under way.
In Taegu alone, the number of people who may have had contact with the patients numbered 7,000 with 3,000 having passed the incubation period. The remaining 4,000 need mentoring. In the Gyeonggi areas, about 450 people are estimated to have had contact with the patients, but the number could rise.
Measles is a highly contagious infectious disease caused by the measles virus. Symptoms usually develop 10―12 days after exposure to an infected person and last seven―10 days. Initial symptoms typically include fever, often greater than 40C, cough, runny nose, rash and inflamed eyes.
The World Health Organization (WHO) certified that measles in Korea was eliminated in 2014, but this meant there were no longer indigenous cases, not those that originated outside the country.
