'COVID-19' Followed by 'Zika Virus' Alert... 3 Koreans Test Negative in Final Examination

Aedes aegypti mosquito that transmits the Zika virus [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Seong-yeol] As the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) spreads worldwide, there have been cases of Koreans being classified as suspected 'Zika virus' patients, requiring caution.

According to the medical community and the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the 14th, three Korean men and women who recently traveled to Southeast Asia (two to the Philippines, one to Vietnam) were classified as suspected Zika virus patients but were ultimately confirmed negative through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing.

The Zika virus is classified as a Class 3 legally designated infectious disease that does not require isolation but needs continuous monitoring of its incidence. It is mainly transmitted through bites from Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes.

Characteristic symptoms of infection include sudden fever accompanied by maculopapular rash (small raised spots on the skin), and may be accompanied by joint pain, conjunctivitis, muscle pain, and headache. Symptoms typically progress mildly over about 3 to 7 days.

Complications include an increased probability of giving birth to newborns with microcephaly and Guillain-Barr? syndrome. Therefore, pregnant women are advised to postpone travel to countries where Zika virus infections occur. If they have visited such countries, it is recommended to delay pregnancy for six months.

Domestic Zika virus infections in Korea have decreased annually since 16 cases occurred in 2016, with only three cases each in 2018 and 2019. Last year, infections occurred in January, August, and September, with one case each month.