'Unknown Cause' Cluster Pneumonia in China... Our Government Strengthens Quarantine for Visits and Stays

by Cha Minyoung

Published 03 Jan.2020 17:01(KST)

Updated 03 Jan.2020 17:09(KST)

Strengthened Quarantine for Domestic Arrivals from Wuhan Flights, China

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] Quarantine measures will be strengthened for passengers arriving in Korea on flights originating from Wuhan, China, where a cluster of pneumonia cases of unknown cause has occurred. If fever and respiratory symptoms are present, quarantine inspections will be conducted, and suspected cases will be isolated first and then undergo diagnostic testing.

The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) announced on the 3rd that in response to 27 cases of pneumonia of unknown cause reported in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, it has activated the "Wuhan Pneumonia Response Team" and will strengthen quarantine for arrivals from Wuhan. Currently, there are eight direct flights per week from Wuhan to Korea.

The KCDC has enhanced fever monitoring and quarantine for passengers arriving from Wuhan. If fever and respiratory symptoms develop after visiting or staying in Wuhan, quarantine inspections will be conducted, and suspected cases will be isolated and tested. Additionally, cooperation systems with Chinese health authorities and the World Health Organization (WHO) have been activated to continuously collect information and assess risks. According to KCDC officials, necessary measures will be implemented in stages depending on the results of investigations and developments in China.

Furthermore, the KCDC has requested medical institutions and arrivals who have visited or stayed in Wuhan to report to the call center (1339) if they meet the following criteria: patients who develop fever and respiratory symptoms within 14 days after visiting the Huanan Seafood Market in Wuhan, or patients who develop pneumonia within 14 days after visiting Wuhan.

The KCDC advises visitors to Wuhan to avoid contact with poultry or wild animals and to refrain from visiting places with infection risks such as local markets. It also urges adherence to personal hygiene practices such as handwashing and cough etiquette when traveling abroad.

According to the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission in Hubei Province, 27 pneumonia cases were reported in Wuhan on December 31 of last year. The Chinese government stated that patients are being treated in isolation and close contacts are being monitored. Among the 27 pneumonia patients, seven are in critical condition, two have improved and are expected to be discharged, and the symptoms of other infected individuals are at a controllable level. Initial investigations have found no evidence of human-to-human transmission or infection among healthcare workers so far. Some medical institutions in Wuhan reported pneumonia cases related to the Huanan Seafood Market, known to sell live poultry and wild animals, prompting local health authorities to implement hygienic and environmental sanitation measures at the market.