Mpox cases spread across the nation

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

National

Sat, September 23, 2023 | 13:45

Health & Science

Mpox cases spread across the nation

Posted : 2023-04-19 16:52

Updated : 2023-04-20 15:15

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By Jun Ji-hye

Cases of mpox, also known as monkeypox, are showing signs of spreading across the nation. New infections have been reported in Seoul and neighboring areas, and also in cities and provinces around the country.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) is working to enhance mpox vaccination publicity and to designate hospitals for mpox patients across the country, in response to a recent increase in locally transmitted infections.

The KDCA confirmed two more cases of mpox, Wednesday, bringing the country's total to 18.

Among the total, 13 cases were reported this month alone and are believed to be locally acquired, as the new patients had not recently traveled abroad.

The country's first five cases, reported last June through to March, were linked to overseas travel.

Among the 13 new patients, five live in Seoul, three in nearby Gyeonggi Province, two in South Gyeongsang Province, one in North Gyeongsang Province, one in Daegu and one in South Jeolla Province. Twelve are Korean nationals, while one is a foreign national.

A sign explaining the symptoms of mpox is displayed at Incheon International Airport in this photo taken on July 24 of last year. Yonhap

According to the KDCA, most of the new patients have been linked to transmission via close contact, including sexual contact, with persons who may have already contracted the mpox virus. The meetings happened in locations such as nightclubs or via mobile applications.

KDCA official Lim Sook-young said cases not counted in official statistics will likely exist in local communities, noting that the disease spreads largely through intimate contact, which people may not openly talk about.

"Volunteer reporting is very important," the official said.

According to the World Health Organization report, 96.4 percent of cases with available data were men, with a median age of 34 years, as of Feb. 24 this year. Among cases with sexual orientation reported, 85.5 percent have identified as gay, bisexual and men who have sex with men.

The KDCA said that it is actively encouraging those who have come into contact with mpox patients to get vaccinated and that it is working to designate at least five sickbeds to treat mpox patients in each city and province across the country.

The KDCA said it is distributing information on the characteristics of mpox and preventive measures to people at high risk of infection.

Health authorities noted, however, that the risk of transmission of mpox in the general population is relatively low, considering that the disease does not spread through contact in daily life like COVID-19 and other respiratory infectious diseases.

jjh@koreatimes.co.kr