Most Domestic Mpox Cases Are Men Aged 20-40... "Symptoms Within 3 Weeks of Sexual Contact"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The number of confirmed domestic Mpox (monkeypox) cases increased by 5 over two days, with the vast majority of those confirmed so far being men in their 20s to 40s.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters on the 3rd, 2 and 3 new Mpox cases were reported on the 1st and 2nd respectively, bringing the cumulative total to 52. Among them, 47 cases occurred after April 7, when the first domestic infection was reported. Weekly confirmed cases were 1 in the first week of April, 7 in the second week, 15 in the third week, 16 in the fourth week, and 8 in the first week of May.

Their residential areas are spread nationwide, including Seoul (25 cases), Gyeonggi (10 cases), Incheon, Gyeongnam, Daegu (3 cases each), Gyeongbuk (2 cases), and Daejeon, Jeonnam, Gangwon, Chungbuk, Chungnam, Busan (1 case each). By nationality, there were 49 Koreans and 3 foreigners. There were 34 cases where individuals reported symptoms themselves after suspicion, 17 cases reported by medical institutions, and 1 case identified as a close contact during epidemiological investigation of confirmed patients.

Among them, males accounted for 96.2% (50 cases). Of these, men in their 20s to 40s accounted for 94.0% (47 cases). 96.2% (50 cases) had sexual contact within three weeks before the onset of initial symptoms. Most cases (86.0%, 43 cases) involved anonymous sexual contact through anonymous mobile apps at high-risk facilities (clubs, lodging facilities, etc.). The average time from close contact to symptom onset was 9.1 days.

The main symptoms were localized skin lesions (ulcers, swelling, rashes) accompanied by anal and genital pain, with skin lesions reported in all patients. In the early stages of Mpox, symptoms such as fever, headache, and muscle pain, which are difficult to distinguish, also appeared.

Most domestic confirmed cases are mild and in good condition. Currently, 30 patients are hospitalized, and 22 have been released from isolation and discharged. The average time from diagnosis to release from isolation was 11.9 days. There have been no reported cases of sequelae so far.

Due to the recent increase in Mpox cases, the government raised the crisis level from "interest" to "caution" on the 13th of last month. Since the risk of infection is higher during close contact at high-risk facilities than in the general population, infection prevention guidelines are being provided to these groups.

A medical response system has also been established and is operating, covering everything from Mpox diagnosis and treatment to the designation of dedicated hospital beds. A total of 504 doses of the Mpox treatment Tecovirimat have been secured and administered to 28 patients. Additionally, dedicated Mpox hospital beds have been designated in 17 provinces and cities, with a total of 111 beds secured nationwide so far. Furthermore, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency plans to begin preventive vaccinations for high-risk groups (aged 18 and over), as well as contacts, starting from the 8th to prevent the spread of Mpox.

The Disease Control Agency emphasized, “If you have risk factors such as close contact with suspected patients or suspicious symptoms, please consult the Disease Control Agency call center (1339), and be cautious of close contact (skin or sexual contact) with strangers.”

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