[Gochang=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Jaegil] On the 30th, Jeonbuk Gochang-gun announced that with the domestic first confirmed case of monkeypox, the infectious disease crisis level has been raised from 'interest' to 'caution,' and thus an emergency quarantine task force has been formed and a 24-hour emergency quarantine system has been launched.
The quarantine task force, consisting of 20 members in 5 teams led by the head of the public health center, distributed monkeypox medical staff guides to about 30 medical institutions in the area.
The county has provided guidance on precautions and reporting methods when suspected patients visit, and has strengthened the infectious disease surveillance system, including patient (suspected) monitoring, epidemiological investigation, bed allocation, maintaining cooperation systems for testing and treatment, and establishing an emergency contact system.
In addition, for overseas entrants, clinical symptoms suspected of monkeypox such as fever, sore throat, fatigue, systemic symptoms, and skin lesions at the time of entry, as well as preventive measures, are being provided, and reporting is guided if suspected symptoms occur during the 3-week incubation period after entry.
If infected with monkeypox, symptoms appear after an incubation period of 5 to 21 days, including fever over 38℃, headache, muscle pain, muscle weakness, chills, and a rash that starts as round red spots and progresses through stages of vesicles → pustules (pus) → crusts.
Among Gochang residents, within 21 days after symptom onset, if there is ▲a visit to affected areas ▲contact with confirmed or suspected patients ▲contact with wild or companion animals native to Africa, minimize contact with others and inquire at the Disease Control Agency telephone counseling center or public health center and act according to guidance.
Yoo Byungsoo, head of the public health center, said, "Since prevention and early detection of patients are important in the case of monkeypox, the cooperation of residents is necessary," and added, "We will do our best to create a safe and happy Gochang through establishing a response system, preventing transmission, and infection prevention through personal hygiene education and publicity."
Gochang=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Jaegil gjg7070@asiae.co.kr
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