KDCA Holds Series of Meetings with US and Japan Health Authorities to Cooperate on China COVID Surveillance and Response

Jiyoungmi, Commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. / Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] In response to the spread of COVID-19 in China, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) has strengthened cooperation with health authorities in the United States and Japan.

On the 5th, the KDCA held a meeting with Takashi Wakita, Director of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases in Japan, to discuss the COVID-19 situation in China and related response measures.

During the video conference, both agencies exchanged information on the infection rates and variant situations among arrivals from China and reviewed future prospects.

Prior to this, on the previous day, a bilateral working-level consultation was held between Korean and U.S. health authorities, including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), regarding arrivals from China. This meeting was arranged recognizing the need to share the current status and response policies for COVID-19 among arrivals from China.

The U.S. is currently conducting limited genomic analysis on a voluntary basis for passengers arriving from China by air and reportedly requested information sharing related to the full genomic sequencing of COVID-19 positive samples from overseas arrivals from China conducted in Korea.

Additionally, U.S. health authorities introduced the purpose of the traveler-based genetic surveillance program being conducted at seven airports and the achievements in early detection of variant genes.

Ji Young-mi, Commissioner of the KDCA, stated, "We will continue to share information on arrivals from China with major countries such as the U.S. and Japan and maintain cooperation for COVID-19 response," adding, "Through a permanent network with experts from overseas disease control agencies, we will proactively promote surveillance and preparedness for imported infectious diseases."

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