KIEP: "Outbreak of Pneumonia in China... Preemptive Measures Needed Including Strengthened Quarantine"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Min-young] Amid the spread of pneumonia of unknown origin originating from China, advice has emerged that the South Korean government should prepare measures in advance to prevent infection, such as strengthening quarantine measures.

The Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP) stated in its report titled "Current Status and Response Measures for Pneumonia of Unknown Origin from China" on the 18th, "We need to review and strengthen preparations in advance for government responses and domestic quarantine enhancement measures, as was done during the SARS outbreak in 2003," adding, "It is necessary to continuously monitor the situation in China and check intergovernmental cooperation channels if needed."

Since the outbreak of unexplained collective pneumonia symptoms among merchants and citizens at a seafood market in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, in December last year, a 61-year-old man died on the 9th of this month in China due to pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Chinese experts involved in pathogen investigation have tentatively concluded that the pathogen of this pneumonia of unknown origin is a novel coronavirus.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that the pneumonia symptoms, which occurred collectively at the same time, should be handled cautiously. Although the last outbreak date was announced as the 2nd, and the number of people who had contact with patients is increasing, human-to-human transmission has not yet been confirmed. Therefore, it is difficult to conclude that the number of patients will increase just because contacts are increasing, but vigilance should not be relaxed.

KIEP explained, "Since epidemiological investigations are underway, additional patient reports may occur, and there is a possibility of human-to-human transmission being reported," adding, "If pneumonia symptoms spread ahead of the large-scale movement during the Chinese Lunar New Year, it could significantly impact economic activities within China, so continuous monitoring is necessary."

Neighboring countries such as Hong Kong have raised their response levels as cases of pneumonia of unknown origin continue to occur in China. The Hong Kong government raised its infectious disease response level to the 'serious' stage on the 4th. Singapore has been conducting temperature checks on travelers from Wuhan since the 3rd, and Taiwan's health authorities have been testing all passengers who boarded direct flights from Wuhan since December 31 last year. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that the likelihood of the coronavirus originating in Wuhan spreading to the U.S. mainland is low but emphasized cautious preparedness.

KIEP advises proactive preparation by referring to past damage and response experiences during the SARS outbreak. KIEP said, "This pneumonia situation also has risk factors such as a lack of medical information up to now, concentrated attention from domestic Korean media, and public fear stemming from past SARS experiences."

The South Korean government established a SARS control tower under the Prime Minister's Office during the peak of the SARS epidemic in China and Hong Kong in 2003 and allocated a budget of $5.5 million to prevent SARS transmission. Based on the 2003 experience, KIEP suggested that measures such as strengthening domestic quarantine should be reviewed in advance for the current pneumonia outbreak originating from China.