Seoul: Thailand is among the countries affected by a group of foreigners in South Korea who are infected with acute hepatitis B.
According to Thai News Agency, new South Korean government data reveals that Chinese, Vietnamese, and Thai nationals make up the largest share of foreigners in South Korea infected with acute hepatitis B. The Korea JoongAng Daily reported that the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency analyzed all reported acute hepatitis B cases between 2014 and 2024. The latest weekly health report indicates that during this 11-year period, a total of 3,591 cases were reported, of which 3,287 involved South Koreans, while the remaining 304 cases involved foreigners, representing an average of 7-9 percent foreigners per year.
Among the foreign patients, Chinese nationals accounted for the highest number with 100 cases or 32.9 percent. They were followed by Vietnamese with 36 cases, Thai with 34 cases, Uzbeks with 23 cases, and Mongolians with 13 cases. Approximately 20.4 percent of these foreign patients were employed in the manufacturing or labor sector, while 19.4 percent were unemployed. This marks the first instance in which South Korean health authorities have analyzed the disease specifically among foreigners residing in the country. Presently, there are approximately 2.65 million foreigners in South Korea. Data from 2008-2024 shows that 36.2 percent of these foreigners are Chinese, 11.5 percent are Vietnamese, 6.4 percent are Americans, and 3.6 percent are Uzbeks.
South Korea has categorized acute hepatitis B as a notifiable disease. It is primarily transmitted from mother to infant during birth when the infant comes into contact with the infected mother's blood. Other transmission methods include sexual intercourse, sharing needles, and sharing razors. The disease's incubation period ranges from 60 to 150 days. While adult patients often recover within six months, severe cases can result in liver failure and coma within eight weeks. The World Health Organization has identified hepatitis B and hepatitis C as significant infectious diseases worldwide, with an average of 3,500 deaths occurring daily.