Two More Domestic Mpox Cases Reported in One Day... "Strengthening Surveillance and Prevention"

M-Fox Photo by Yonhap News

Two additional confirmed cases of Mpox (monkeypox), presumed to be domestically transmitted, have been reported in a single day. As the number of domestic Mpox patients reached 13 within 12 days, health authorities have stepped up surveillance and prevention measures against Mpox.

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) on the 19th, the newly confirmed 18th patient (resident of Seoul) and 19th patient (resident of Gyeonggi Province) are both Korean nationals who tested positive after examination due to symptoms such as skin lesions.

Since the first presumed domestic infection case was reported on the 7th, Mpox confirmed cases have been emerging almost daily. Of the total 18 Mpox patients, 13 cases were reported between the 7th and the 18th. None of these patients had a history of overseas travel, and the cases have appeared nationwide (Seoul, Gyeonggi, Gyeongnam, Gyeongbuk, Daegu, Jeonnam), raising concerns about further spread of local transmission. In response, the KDCA stated, "Most of the individuals had close contact with anonymous persons at high-risk facilities within three weeks prior to symptom onset," and advised that there is no need for excessive anxiety.

According to the KDCA, the main symptoms of domestic Mpox patients included localized skin lesions (ulcers, swelling, rashes) accompanied by pain in the anogenital area. Rashes appeared in all patients. However, the KDCA explained, "Early symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle pain, and chills were nonspecific, or only anogenital rashes appeared, making early diagnosis difficult."

The KDCA is managing contacts of confirmed cases according to their exposure risk and is actively guiding close contacts to receive vaccination. Additionally, through thorough contact management, suspected symptomatic contacts are being promptly isolated and tested, and to ensure rapid hospital bed allocation, Mpox treatment beds will be designated and operated in 17 cities and provinces.

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