"From children to the elderly,"Even 'past infectious diseases' have been re-landed in Korea [Now News]

Since the lifting of COVID-19 quarantine measures, various infectious diseases such as chickenpox, measles, whooping cough, scarlet fever, intestinal bacteria (CRE), and syphilis have surged, raising concerns.

The epidemic is exploding in a situation where natural immunity, which was suppressed by quarantine measures, has weakened.

In particular, chickenpox, measles, scarlet fever, whooping cough in children, CRE infections that do not work with antibiotics in the elderly, and syphilis, which is prevalent in Japan and the United States, are rapidly spreading among adults.

The medical field calls for the government to implement a policy of pulling the reins hard in order not to face the situation of Abiy-gyu.

However, some point out that legislative conflicts and political turmoil are causing limitations in quarantine responses. According to data received by Kim Hyun-jung of the Democratic Party of Korea from the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the 18th, the number of chickenpox has nearly doubled from 18,547 in 2022 to 31,583 in 2024.

The chickenpox spread through the patient's blister fluid and respiratory secretions is highly contagious and spreads quickly in enclosed spaces.

It occurs mainly in children under the age of 12 who live in groups, and is accompanied by a rash and mild fever.

Measles reported zero cases in 2022, but 49 cases in 2024.

Most of the patients have been found to have traveled abroad or come into contact with travelers, but due to the nature of the epidemic, there is a high possibility of spread.

In particular, infants are at high risk of complications such as pneumonia, otitis media, and encephalitis when infected with measles, so special attention is needed.

Whooping cough jumped from 31 in 2022 to 47,928 in 2024.

Last year was the first case of infant death in Korea since statistics were compiled, and the medical community predicts that the number of pediatric patients will increase further this year.

Whooping cough is accompanied by long-term cough symptoms and quick treatment is essential.

Scarlet fever is also increasing rapidly.

Scarlet fever, which has all but disappeared since the 1990s, surged 13-fold from 505 in 2022 to 6,550 in 2024.

It occurs mainly among children and is characterized by early rash and sore throat symptoms.

The medical community is emphasizing the importance of quarantine, noting the resurgence of scarlet fever, which was considered an infectious disease in the past.

CRE infections are spreading mainly in the elderly.

CRE is a bacterial infection resistant to carbapenem antibiotics used primarily for severe infections, rising from 35,48 in 2022 to 42,820 in 2024.

It occurs intensively in elderly people living in groups in nursing hospitals, and misuse of antibiotics is pointed out as the main cause.

Syphilis is spreading among adults.

Surging syphilis infections in Japan, the United States and Europe also hit the country, rising sevenfold from 401 in 2022 to 2798 in 2024.

Accordingly, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is strengthening its response by raising the infectious disease rating for syphilis from level 4 to level 3.

Health authorities said initial treatment of syphilis is important, and urged people to visit hospitals quickly if symptoms are suspected.

Representative Kim Hyun-jung pointed out, "There is an urgent need for a preventive response system for vulnerable groups of infectious diseases such as children and the elderly," and emphasized, "Systematic quarantine measures are needed, such as establishing an integrated quarantine information system, activating a big data platform for infectious diseases, and establishing an expert advisory body."

AI Anchor|Y-GO
Edit Caption | Line

#NowNews