Chungnam Forms and Operates 'Monkeypox' Quarantine Task Force... "Until Situation Ends"

Blisters have appeared on the back of the hand of a monkeypox patient. The photo is unrelated to the article. Source=Asia Economy DB

[Asia Economy (Hongseong) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] Chungnam Province announced on the 22nd that it will form and operate a quarantine task force to prevent the spread of monkeypox in the local community.

The quarantine task force consists of 5 teams with 45 members and will operate until the monkeypox-related situation is resolved. Its roles include monitoring suspected patients, epidemiological investigations, testing and treatment, and maintaining a collaborative system.

In the event of a monkeypox patient, the response will be similar to the Ebola virus disease response system, and suspected patients will be assigned to designated inpatient treatment beds. Currently, one bed is designated at Asan Chungmu Hospital, and consultations with related organizations have been completed to allow additional designations if the number of suspected patients increases.

Also, if a confirmed monkeypox case occurs in the region, support will be provided to transfer the patient to the National Medical Center for isolation treatment until the scabs of the lesions fall off.

Along with the formation of the quarantine task force, the province requested the Chungnam Medical Association and heads of medical institutions to thoroughly report and notify when treating suspected or confirmed patients.

A provincial official said, "The province is currently establishing a separate plan to strengthen response measures when the crisis alert level is raised," and added, "We urge residents to thoroughly manage personal hygiene and report to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency if suspicious symptoms such as vesicular rash appear within three weeks after returning from abroad."

Meanwhile, monkeypox, which is spreading worldwide, has been confirmed in 2,103 people across 42 countries as of the 15th (according to the World Health Organization).

Countries with a large number of confirmed cases include the United Kingdom with 524 cases, Spain 313, Germany 263, Portugal 241, Canada 159, and France 125.

Monkeypox is an acute febrile rash zoonotic infectious disease similar to smallpox but is known to have a lower severity.

The incubation period is 5 to 21 days (usually 6 to 13 days), and the fatality rate is about 1% to 10%. However, recently, the fatality rate has been increasing to 3% to 6%.

Transmission occurs through droplets, air, skin lesions, and contact with contaminated objects. Major symptoms upon infection include fever, headache, lymphadenopathy, back pain, muscle pain, and rash. Symptoms usually last for 2 to 4 weeks.

There is no commercially available treatment, and most patients recover naturally or receive symptomatic treatment.

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