Measles Outbreak at SEVENTEEN Tokyo Dome Fan Meeting; Seek Medical Attention if Symptoms Occur

Central News Agency (Tokyo, 22nd) The measles outbreak in Japan continues to escalate, even affecting large events such as concerts. It was confirmed today that a fan who attended the fan meeting held by the Korean boy group SEVENTEEN at Tokyo Dome recently has been diagnosed with measles. The official website issued an emergency notice, urging attendees to contact medical institutions and seek medical attention if they experience suspicious symptoms such as fever or rash.

SEVENTEEN held a fan meeting at Tokyo Dome on the 13th and 14th of this month, attracting 100,000 fans over two days, with many Taiwanese 'Carats' (official fan name) traveling to attend. Performances at Kyocera Dome Osaka are scheduled for the 23rd and 24th. However, the Japanese official website posted a reminder today stating that one of the attendees on the 13th was later diagnosed with measles.

Measles is an acute systemic infection caused by the measles virus. Transmission routes include air, droplets, and contact. It is highly contagious, and people without immunity are almost 100% likely to contract it once exposed. It is generally believed that one can gain lifelong immunity after a single infection. About 10 days after infection, cold-like symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes appear. After 2 to 3 days of persistent fever, a high fever of over 39 degrees and a rash will appear.

The official website emphasized that any audience member who attended the performance should contact a medical institution before going to see a doctor if they experience suspected measles symptoms such as fever, rash, cough, runny nose, or red eyes. When seeking medical attention, one must wear a mask and avoid using public transportation as much as possible.

According to TBS reports, statistics from Japan's National Institute of Health Crisis Management show that as of May 10, the cumulative number of measles infections nationwide this year has reached 479, about 4.1 times the same period last year, almost the same as in 2019, the worst year for the epidemic in the past decade. Tokyo alone accounts for 234 cases, about half of the national total.

In addition to Tokyo, the epidemic is also showing signs of spreading in the Kyushu region. According to Kumamoto Television, a cluster infection broke out at a high school in Kagoshima Prefecture on May 1, and there are cases of women who visited concert venues in Fukuoka Prefecture being diagnosed with the infection.

Dr. Akihiko Kawase of Kumamoto City Hospital pointed out that measles is extremely contagious and is described as 'infectious just by passing by.' One patient can infect about 15 people on average, far higher than the 2 to 3 people for COVID-19 or influenza. Moreover, measles is airborne; even if someone is infected in the same room, they can be infected even at a distance, and even people who enter the room after the infected person has left may be infected.

Regarding the rapid expansion of the epidemic this year, Kawase believes that the increase in overseas travelers is one of the important reasons. He pointed out that measles is still prevalent in some overseas regions, and Japan has had fewer cases in recent years, leading to a reduced sense of threat among the public. He also emphasized that masks and hand washing have limited effects, and 'the only effective method is vaccination.'

However, vaccination rates in some parts of Japan remain low. Taking Kumamoto Prefecture as an example, the measles vaccination rate in fiscal year 2024 was only 88.3%, ranking third from the bottom in the country. He warned that to prevent cluster infections, the vaccination rate needs to reach 95% or higher.

According to data from the Japanese Association for Infectious Diseases, people born after April 2, 1990, in Japan are required to receive two doses of the vaccine, but many people born before that have only received one dose. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare urges the public to check their vaccination records and visit medical institutions to check for antibodies if they are unsure of their vaccination status.