Global 'Public Health Emergency' Declared? ... Rising Concerns Over New Infectious Disease Influx

WHO Identifies 25 European Countries as Epicenter of Monkeypox
Domestic Warning Issued for Dengue Fever in Southeast Asia Following COVID-19

On the 27th, passengers arriving on a flight from Europe at Incheon International Airport Terminal 1 are waiting to undergo quarantine for overseas infectious diseases such as monkeypox. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] As the World Health Organization (WHO) warns of the spread of monkeypox infections, concerns are rising domestically that a new infectious disease following COVID-19 could be imported from overseas.

Monkeypox Spreading Rapidly in Europe

According to the WHO on the 16th, Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, said at a press conference held the previous day, "More than 1,500 cases, accounting for 85% of the total global monkeypox infections, have been reported in 25 European countries, making Europe the epicenter of the rapid outbreak," adding, "The longer the virus spreads, the wider the range of transmission will become."

He further stated, "To decide whether to declare an international public health emergency of concern regarding this issue, an emergency committee will be convened next week in Geneva, Switzerland."

Monkeypox is a viral disease endemic to some West African countries but is currently spreading to 39 countries including Europe and the United States. According to the international statistics site 'Our World in Data,' as of the 14th, the UK has the highest number of cases at 471, followed by Spain with 313, Portugal 231, Germany 228, Canada 158, France 91, the Netherlands 80, the United States 65, Italy 38, Belgium 24, totaling approximately 1,800 cases worldwide.

Kluge noted, "Many cases in Europe have been reported among men who have sex with men," but cautioned, "Stigmatizing the virus as a disease of homosexuality is not an effective public health response." He also added, "With summer starting and various large-scale events such as festivals scheduled across Europe, the risk may increase," but emphasized, "Monkeypox is not a reason to cancel these events."

Proportion of Imported COVID-19 Cases Increasing Among New Infections

Domestically, with the resumption of overseas travel, the possibility of foreign infectious diseases entering the country is increasing. Although the daily number of new COVID-19 cases has dropped below 10,000, the proportion of imported cases among them is rising.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters, in the recent week (June 10?16), there were 55,784 new COVID-19 cases, a 21.2% decrease compared to 70,815 cases two weeks earlier (June 3?9). However, imported cases increased by 57.9%, from 297 to 469 during the same period. On the 15th, out of 9,331 confirmed cases, 104 were imported, and on the 16th, out of 7,994 cases, 90 were imported. The health authorities believe that the increase in arrivals due to the exemption of quarantine for entrants and the expansion of international flights since the 8th has likely contributed to the rise in imported cases.

Accordingly, surveillance is being strengthened regarding the possibility of monkeypox entering the country through incoming travelers. If a monkeypox patient is confirmed domestically, they will be isolated and treated at the Central Infectious Disease Hospital (National Medical Center) until the infectiousness disappears, and high-risk contacts (cohabitants and sexual partners) will be considered for 21 days of quarantine. Additionally, procedures are underway to import about 500 doses of the antiviral drug 'Tecovirimat' for treating monkeypox patients.

Professor Lee Jae-gap of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital said, "The number of travelers returning from France, Italy, and the UK has recently increased significantly, so monkeypox could be introduced domestically," adding, "However, even if cases occur, if diagnosis is not delayed and early treatment is provided, a large number of patients is unlikely."

Dengue fever, malaria, yellow fever, cholera, typhoid fever, and other infectious diseases are also targets for domestic vigilance. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) especially warns travelers preparing to visit Southeast Asia, including Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam, where dengue fever cases have recently increased, to exercise special caution.

The KDCA stated, "Dengue fever, transmitted by forest mosquitoes infected with the dengue virus, has an incubation period of 3 to 14 days, after which symptoms such as fever, headache, chills, and muscle pain appear. Currently, there is no specific preventive vaccine or treatment," adding, "With over 100 countries worldwide reporting more than 100 million infections annually, an increase in cases is expected domestically as overseas travel increases."

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