RESURGENCE OF MEASLES IN A COUNTRY OF ELIMINATION: INTERIM ASSESSMENT AND CURRENT CONTROL MEASURES IN THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA IN EARLY 2014

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RESURGENCE OF MEASLES IN A COUNTRY OF ELIMINATION: INTERIM ASSESSMENT AND CURRENT CONTROL MEASURES IN THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA IN EARLY 2014

Yang TU¹, Kim JW¹, Eom HE¹, Oh HK¹, Kim ES¹, Kang HJ², Nam JG², Kim KS², Kim SS², Lee CK³, Park YJ¹, Park O⁴.

Int J Infect Dis. 2014 Nov 5. pii: S1201-9712(14)01668-3. doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2014.09.016. [Epub ahead of print]

¹Division of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases Control and National Immunization Program, Centers for Disease Prevention, Korea Center for Disease Control and Prevention, OHTAC, 200 Osongsaengmyeong 2-ro, Osong-eup, Cheongwon-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do, Republic of Korea 363-951.
²Division of Respiratory Viruses, Centers for Infectious Diseases, Korea National Institute of Health, Republic of Korea.
³Gyeonggi Provincial Government Bukbu Office, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea.
⁴Division of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases Control and National Immunization Program, Centers for Disease Prevention, Korea Center for Disease Control and Prevention, OHTAC, 200 Osongsaengmyeong 2-ro, Osong-eup, Cheongwon-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do, Republic of Korea 363-951. Electronic address: okpark8932@gmail.com.

Abstract below; full text is at http://www.ijidonline.com/article/S1201-9712%2814%2901668-3/abstract

Since the beginning of 2014, the Republic of Korea has experienced a resurgence of measles cases. Among the 220 cases confirmed as measles during epidemiological weeks 1-20 (December 29, 2013 to May 17, 2014), 10 imported cases were identified. The predominant genotype was B3, which reflects the circulating measles virus in adjacent countries. Even with the verification of measles elimination in March 2014 by the World Health Organization, recent importation has been related to international travel. Targeted control measures have been implemented in addition to proper isolation and patient care. A vigilant surveillance system and high levels of vaccine coverage should be maintained to sustain the measles elimination status.