Monkeypox Testing Expanded Nationwide at Local Governments Starting from the 11th

Testing Begins at Provincial and Metropolitan Health and Environment Research Institutes Nationwide
Previously, Samples Were Sent to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency for Testing

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] Monkeypox diagnostic testing will be expanded nationwide at local governments.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) announced on the 8th that, as a preemptive measure to prepare for confirmed cases in the community, monkeypox testing will begin at health and environment research institutes in cities and provinces nationwide starting from the 11th.

Currently, when a suspected monkeypox patient is identified, samples must be collected and sent to the KDCA for testing. However, from the 11th, tests for suspected patients in each region will be conducted at local government health and environment research institutes.

The KDCA explained that before expanding diagnostic testing, it conducted training on testing methods and completed proficiency evaluations for health and environment research institutes nationwide to ensure accurate testing at local governments.

The monkeypox testing method was established domestically in 2016. When monkeypox began spreading mainly in Europe this year, the KDCA organized the testing system to enable immediate testing and confirmed one domestic case of a Korean national who arrived from Germany on the 22nd.

Baek Kyung-ran, head of the KDCA, stated, "Through this nationwide expansion of diagnostic testing, we expect to confirm domestic monkeypox cases more quickly," and added, "We will continue to actively support and cooperate so that local governments can conduct rapid and accurate diagnostic testing."