'Idiopathic' Pneumonia Surges in China and Southeast Asia... What About South Korea?

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Amid a cluster outbreak of pneumonia of unknown cause in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, central China, there have been no suspected cases reported domestically so far. However, health authorities have formed a task force and are operating a 24-hour response system to prepare for the potential domestic influx of the pneumonia.

According to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) on the 7th, there have been no reported cases in the country showing suspicious symptoms such as fever after recently visiting Wuhan City. A KCDC official stated this but added, "Since China is a neighboring country, the possibility of domestic influx cannot be ruled out."

According to Wuhan health authorities, as of the morning of the 5th, the number of patients is 59, of whom 7 are in critical condition. This is more than double the 27 cases reported on the 31st of last month. Wuhan is the most populous city in central China, with about 11 million residents. The number of Korean residents is about 1,000. A KCDC official said, "The causative pathogen has not yet been identified to designate Wuhan as a quarantine infectious disease contaminated area." He added, "Most patients contracted pneumonia after visiting a specific seafood market," and explained, "At present, it is appropriate to refrain from visiting the local market with infection risk, not the entire Wuhan."

As pneumonia is spreading in neighboring regions such as Hong Kong, Singapore, and Taiwan, Hong Kong, where the number of patients has reached 21, has raised its disease infection alert from level 2 to level 3, classified as 'serious.' A KCDC official said, "In our country, the infectious disease crisis level can only be changed if there are domestic patients," and added, "Regardless of the crisis level, we will take thorough measures without any gaps."

Since the 3rd, the KCDC has formed a Wuhan pneumonia task force and is operating an emergency situation room with a 24-hour response system. They have strengthened fever monitoring systems and quarantine for passengers arriving on flights from Wuhan to Korea and plan to take phased measures based on the results of investigations in China. A KCDC official explained, "We are continuously communicating with the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)."

Visitors to Wuhan should avoid contact with poultry or wild animals. They should also adhere to personal hygiene rules such as handwashing and cough etiquette. If respiratory symptoms such as fever, cough, sputum, or difficulty breathing, or pneumonia occur within 14 days after visiting the Huanan Seafood Market in Wuhan, they should report to the KCDC call center.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.