Gwangmyeong City Urges Caution Against Hantavirus Infection During Overseas Travel

Caution Advised When Visiting Affected Areas Such as Argentina and Chile: Avoid Contact With Rodents
If You Experience Fever or Breathing Difficulties After Returning, Consult 1339 or Public Health Center

Gwangmyeong City in Gyeonggi Province has recently urged citizens planning overseas travel to exercise special caution in relation to cases of Hantavirus Cardiopulmonary Syndrome (HCPS, Andes virus infection) reported on foreign cruise ships.

Gwangmyeong City recently urged citizens planning overseas travel to exercise special caution in relation to a case of Hantavirus Cardiopulmonary Syndrome (HCPS, Andes virus infection) that occurred aboard an international cruise ship. Photo by Gwangmyeong City

On May 12, the city announced that, in response to the potential for domestic introduction of Hantavirus Cardiopulmonary Syndrome, which is currently occurring primarily in South America, surveillance is being strengthened. The city emphasized that travelers visiting affected areas such as Argentina and Chile must strictly follow infection prevention guidelines.

Hantavirus Cardiopulmonary Syndrome is an infectious disease transmitted by rodents. Infection can occur when a person is exposed to environments contaminated by the excreta or saliva of infected mice.

In particular, the Andes virus, which occurs in South America, has, although rarely, been reported to enable human-to-human transmission.

In the early stages of infection, symptoms similar to the common cold—such as fever, muscle pain, headache, and chills—may appear. The condition can progress to more severe symptoms, including difficulty breathing and pulmonary edema, so caution is required.

Citizens planning to visit South America should avoid contact with rodents during their trip, refrain from entering enclosed spaces where rodent excreta may be present, and strictly adhere to personal hygiene practices such as wearing masks and washing hands.

In addition, if symptoms such as fever, difficulty breathing, nausea, or abdominal pain develop after returning to Korea, individuals should consult the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency call center or the Gwangmyeong City Public Health Center before visiting a medical institution.

Park Sunmi, head of the Infectious Disease Control Division, stated, "Although the current public health risk in Korea is low, we are continuously monitoring the situation in preparation for possible overseas introduction. We ask citizens planning overseas travel to check information about infectious diseases in their destination and to strictly follow preventive guidelines."

Gwangmyeong City plans to continue monitoring trends in overseas infectious diseases and maintain a response system to ensure the safety of its citizens.

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