Jeonnam Province Conducts 24-Hour Rapid Testing for Monkeypox

Completed Diagnostic Test Training and Passed Evaluation at KDCA... Directly Conducting Tests After Receiving Transfer

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yoon Jamin] Jeonnam Province has decided to conduct rapid 24-hour testing for monkeypox, which has been elevated from the 'interest' to the 'caution' stage after the first domestic confirmed case occurred.

Jeonnam Health and Environment Research Institute (Director Jeon Dooyoung) announced on the 7th that it will take over monkeypox diagnostic testing from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and conduct the tests directly.

The Jeonnam Health and Environment Research Institute completed diagnostic test training from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and passed the proficiency evaluation for the testing method.

Going forward, they plan to promptly process overseas arrivals and suspected patients in the region using genetic detection testing methods to prepare for the possibility of widespread transmission.

Monkeypox has become endemic in some African countries but occurred unusually in May 2022, mainly in European countries such as Spain and the United Kingdom.

As of the 4th, there has been one confirmed domestic case, and a total of 6,157 cases have been confirmed in 59 countries worldwide. Since June, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency has designated it as a second-class infectious disease and strengthened surveillance.

After infection, there is an incubation period of 1 to 2 weeks (average 7 to 14 days), followed by acute fever over 38℃, headache, muscle pain, and fatigue, with rash symptoms appearing mainly on the face.

Currently, there are no commercialized vaccines or treatments, and treatment is conducted with antiviral drugs and immunoglobulin.

Im Hyuncheol, Head of Infectious Disease Investigation Division 1 at Jeonnam Health and Environment Research Institute, said, “According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the fatality rate of monkeypox is 3 to 6%, and it is not a disease with high transmissibility like COVID-19, so there is no need to create excessive anxiety. However, since direct human-to-human transmission through infectious droplets or transmission through contact is possible, please strictly observe personal hygiene such as handwashing and wear personal protective equipment when in close contact with symptomatic individuals.”