Japan: measles cases on the rise, health warning to travellers

Measles cases in Japan are on the rise, with many patients believed to have contracted the disease while travelling abroad. Therefore, health experts are urging people intending to travel overseas during the Golden Week holidays to pay attention to the measles situation in the country they plan to visit. They should also monitor their health after returning home. The Japan Institute for Health Security (JIHS) confirmed 78 measles cases this year as of April 13, a sharp increase from the 45 recorded in 2024. Of the 78 cases, 39 are believed to have contracted the disease abroad, especially in Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam and Thailand. Atsuo Hamada, a professor at Tokyo Medical University and an expert on travel medicine, urged people travelling to an affected area to check their vaccination status in advance and monitor their health for two weeks after returning to Japan. He added that people who develop symptoms like fever or rashes should immediately seek medical attention and avoid public transportation to reduce the risk of spreading the disease.