Health Authorities: "Monkeypox Differs from COVID-19... Low Risk of General Transmission"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] The quarantine authorities stated that "excessive tension or undue concern is unnecessary" regarding the possibility of community transmission following the first confirmed case of monkeypox.

On the 23rd, when asked about the possibility that monkeypox spread into the community through asymptomatic entrants, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said, "Unlike COVID-19, which is mainly transmitted through droplets, the risk of transmission among the general domestic population without close contact with confirmed cases is relatively low."

However, the KDCA added, "There may be cases of infected patients emerging in the community if they entered the country during the incubation period or if symptoms were not recognized during quarantine," emphasizing that "it is crucial to diagnose suspected patients entering the country without missing them." They also urged citizens traveling to or visiting affected countries to comply with personal hygiene rules and report any symptoms, and called on the medical community for active surveillance and reporting of suspected cases.

The first domestic monkeypox patient is receiving continuous treatment at Incheon Medical Center. The KDCA explained, "Monkeypox confirmed patients are treated in designated inpatient treatment beds at city or provincial hospitals according to guidelines. For the initial confirmed patient, treatment was decided to be at the National Medical Center, a central infectious disease specialized hospital. However, the first confirmed patient was immediately transferred to the designated inpatient treatment bed at Incheon Medical Center upon entry and continues treatment there considering minimizing movement."

According to the KDCA, there are 49 contacts of this confirmed patient, with no additional contacts identified as of today. There are no high-risk contacts; 8 are medium-risk contacts, and 41 are low-risk contacts.

The KDCA announced that 500 doses of the monkeypox treatment Tecovirimat will be introduced domestically next month, and before this treatment is available, they have secured 100 doses each of the antiviral treatment Cidofovir and vaccinia immune globulin for use.