Monkeypox Continues to Spread... Health Authorities Say, "Vaccines Will Be Used Restrictively"

WHO also advises "Controllable Virus... Do Not Overreact"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] As monkeypox spreads beyond Europe and North America to 19 countries worldwide, the World Health Organization (WHO) has cautioned against excessive concern, calling it a "controllable virus." Experts also believe that monkeypox is not as contagious as the COVID-19 virus, so large-scale vaccination is unlikely to be necessary.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters on the 26th, the government has decided to strengthen surveillance systems for the time being, as the possibility of monkeypox entering the country cannot be ruled out.

South Korea completed the development and evaluation of the "Monkeypox Diagnostic Test and Reagents" back in 2016, establishing a testing system capable of responding even if the virus is introduced. The health authorities are currently working to expand the monkeypox testing system, which is only available at the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, to provincial health and environmental research institutes nationwide, while closely monitoring international situations to block the virus's overseas entry.

Lee Sang-won, head of the Epidemiological Investigation and Analysis Team at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, said, "If monkeypox is introduced domestically, confirmed cases will be isolated." He added, "The isolation period is not fixed but is considered necessary until the blisters on the skin disappear and scars heal." He continued, "While we must remain sufficiently cautious about the spread of monkeypox, excessive anxiety is unnecessary," explaining that the smallpox vaccine will be used very restrictively.

Overseas, there are also opinions that, while the current situation requires close observation of monkeypox's progression, immediate vaccination is not urgent.

Silvie Briand, WHO Director of Global Infectious Hazard Preparedness, said yesterday, "There is a need to strengthen vigilance to understand the transmission level and routes of monkeypox," but added, "It is currently controllable." She emphasized, "There are already preventive vaccines and treatments for monkeypox," and urged, "Let's not overreact."

According to WHO, as of the 24th, a total of 237 confirmed and suspected monkeypox cases have been reported in 19 countries worldwide, and since then, the first confirmed cases have emerged in major European countries such as Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, and in the Middle East's United Arab Emirates (UAE), expanding the transmission range further. Germany, which currently has five infected individuals, has recommended at least 21 days of isolation for both monkeypox patients and close contacts starting yesterday.