3 Additional M-Fox Confirmed Cases... Presumed Domestic Infection

by Lee Gwanju

Published 17 Apr.2023 14:08(KST)

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) announced on the 17th that since the 10th confirmed case of Mpox (monkeypox) last week, three additional cases have been reported domestically.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The 11th patient is a Korean national residing in Seoul who visited a medical institution with a sore throat and skin lesions. The medical staff suspected Mpox infection and reported the case to the local health center on the 14th. After testing, the patient was confirmed positive.

The 12th patient, residing in Gyeongnam, is a Korean national who inquired about testing at the KDCA call center (1339) on the 14th due to skin lesions and pain. Having a history of risky exposure during the incubation period, the patient was classified as a suspected case and was confirmed positive after testing.

The 13th patient is a Korean national living in Gyeongnam who was identified as a close contact with suspicious symptoms such as skin lesions during the epidemiological investigation of the 12th patient. Immediate testing confirmed a positive result.

The KDCA explained that none of the newly confirmed patients had overseas travel history within three weeks of symptom onset, but risky exposure domestically was confirmed, suggesting domestic infection. The health authorities are conducting detailed epidemiological investigations regarding risk factors and infection routes.

Among the total of eight patients reported since the 7th, five have been treated with antiviral drugs based on medical judgment, and no suspected symptoms have been reported among the currently managed contacts, the authorities added.

Additionally, the KDCA distributed an Mpox diagnostic guide to medical professionals, including characteristics and trends of suspected symptoms and clinical courses of confirmed cases domestically and abroad, and especially urged active reporting of suspected cases by medical staff in departments likely to see patients with skin lesions, such as infectious diseases, dermatology, urology, and proctology.

Furthermore, the KDCA is strengthening publicity efforts to prevent further spread by providing guidance on infection prevention rules to facilities used by high-risk groups and producing and distributing informational materials targeting these groups.

Ji Young-mi, head of the KDCA, emphasized, "If you have risk factors such as close contact with suspected patients or suspicious symptoms, please consult 1339, and be especially cautious about close contact (skin or sexual contact) with strangers." She added that Mpox is an infectious disease mainly transmitted through limited routes, with a low risk of spread and manageable control, so adherence to infection prevention rules is urged rather than excessive anxiety.