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Japan Measles Cases Surge, Nearing 2019 High
3 Jun
Summary
- Japan's reported measles cases have reached 511 this year.
- The current number is approaching the 2019 total of 744 cases.
- Health officials urge consultation by phone for suspected infections.
The number of reported measles cases in Japan has reached 511 this year, a figure that is rapidly approaching the total of 744 recorded in 2019. This concerning trend has prompted the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare to issue advisories, urging individuals who suspect they may be infected to contact medical facilities by phone before visiting.
Measles, a highly contagious airborne disease, can lead to serious complications, including encephalitis. While Japan was declared measles-free by the WHO in 2015, an estimated 70 percent of current infections are believed to have originated within the country. The virus may have been reintroduced by international travelers.
Vaccination, administered through the measles-rubella vaccine in two doses, is the primary prevention method. While routine vaccinations are given to children, concerns remain about older age groups, particularly those born before April 2000, who may not have received both doses. Officials strongly encourage those traveling abroad or in this demographic to review their vaccination status and consider getting vaccinated.
