Measles cases hit six-year high in South Korea amid outbreaks across south-east Asia

South Korea passes annual tally for 2024 already, as Vietnam and Thailand continue to battle outbreaks

South Korea has recorded the highest number of measles cases in six years, adding to concerns that low vaccination rates combined with international travel are contributing to further outbreaks elsewhere in the region.

The country has confirmed 52 cases so far this year, exceeding the 49 recorded for the whole of 2024, the Korean Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said this week. It is the highest figure since 2019, when 194 cases were recorded.