Korean J Med.  2019 Jun;94(3):237-245. 10.3904/kjm.2019.94.3.237.

Current and Prospect on Measles Outbreak

• Kim YC
• Choi YH

• KMID: 2449420
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3904/kjm.2019.94.3.237

Abstract

Measles is a highly contagious infectious disease characterized by fever, rash, cough, coryza, and conjunctivitis. The causative organism is the measles virus transmitted via the respiratory route. Before the introduction of an effective vaccine, measles was one of most prevalent diseases worldwide. Mortality may occur in patients with complications, including pneumonia, which is the most common cause of measles-associated death. The diagnosis of measles is based on clinical symptoms and laboratory tests, including the detection of measles virus-specific antibodies or measles virus ribonucleic acid and cultured viruses. The treatment for measles is primarily supportive care. In Korea, availability of the measles vaccine has substantially reduced the incidence and mortality of the disease. The World Health Organization verified the elimination of measles in March 2014; however, small outbreaks continue to be reported. Although a large proportion of measles cases occur in infants less than 1 year old, the disease has been reported in young adults with a history of measles vaccination. Here, we review the current literature on measles and discuss the importance of measles prevention in Korean adults.

Keyword

Measles; Disease outbreaks; Vaccination

MeSH Terms

Adult
Antibodies
Communicable Diseases
Conjunctivitis
Cough
Diagnosis
Disease Outbreaks
Exanthema
Fever
Humans
Incidence
Infant
Korea
Measles Vaccine
Measles virus
Measles*
Mortality
Pneumonia
RNA
Vaccination
World Health Organization
Young Adult
Antibodies
Measles Vaccine
RNA