Gyeongnam Province Focuses on Infection Response, Designates Dedicated Monkeypox Hospital

Operation of City, County, and District Quarantine Task Forces, 24-Hour Joint Response System

Gyeongnam Provincial Government Office.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] Gyeongnam Province is operating an emergency response system, including the formation of a quarantine task force and designation of dedicated hospitals, to prevent monkeypox infection.

After the first domestic case of monkeypox infection was reported on the 22nd, Gyeongnam Province explained that it formed a quarantine task force consisting of 42 members across 5 teams, led by the Director of the Welfare and Health Bureau, and began operating on a 24-hour basis.

In all cities and counties within the province, epidemiological investigation teams led by health center directors have been formed to maintain a 24-hour joint response system between the province and local governments.

The quarantine task forces are engaged in ▲ monitoring suspected patients within the province ▲ immediate response measures such as isolation of confirmed cases ▲ and strengthening community surveillance and response through promotion of preventive measures for suspected cases.

The province has designated dedicated hospitals for monkeypox and prepared 2 dedicated beds, with plans to secure additional beds depending on the trend of patient occurrences.

Monkeypox is an acute febrile rash disease caused by a viral infection. Its symptoms are similar to smallpox but are known to be less severe.

Upon infection, symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle pain, fatigue, chills, weakness, and lymphadenopathy appear, followed by rash symptoms 1 to 3 days later.

Symptoms typically appear between 5 and 21 days after infection, with an average of 6 to 13 days, and last for 2 to 4 weeks.

A Gyeongnam Province official stated, “Early response is very important, so if you have symptoms, do not hesitate and immediately report to the nearest health center,” adding, “Please follow basic quarantine rules such as hand washing and wearing masks, and if you experience suspected monkeypox symptoms within 3 weeks after traveling abroad, promptly contact a health center or the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency call center.”