North Korean Media: "6 New Fever Cases Reported... Cause Under Investigation"

First New Fever Case Since the 29th of Last Month

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] North Korea announced on the 6th that six new fever cases (febrile patients) occurred after 6 p.m. the previous day and that the cause is being investigated. This is the first time since the 29th of last month that North Korea has reported fever cases.

Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) cited the National Emergency Anti-epidemic Command on the same day, stating, "Six febrile patients have appeared in Jeongju City, Pyonganbuk-do, and Sinhung County, Hamgyeongnam-do. Members of the rapid mobile anti-epidemic team and rapid diagnosis and treatment team from the relevant emergency anti-epidemic agencies have gone to the site to investigate the cause of the fever."

It appears that they are investigating whether the fever is due to COVID-19 or waterborne infectious diseases. KCNA previously stated that "from 6 p.m. on the 4th for 24 hours, no febrile patients caused by COVID-19 were reported."

North Korea has claimed no new fever cases since the 29th of last month and also claimed that there have been no patients receiving treatment since the 4th. They said that the COVID-19 quarantine situation has entered a stable phase and that they are enhancing their ability to accurately and quickly diagnose the cause of fever, but they have not declared the end of the epidemic.

They are alert to the possibility of the spread of various infectious diseases such as COVID-19 variants, monkeypox, and waterborne infectious diseases. According to the news agency, North Korean authorities are strengthening the reporting system in preparation for abnormal situations where 'unusual items' continue to be discovered, conducting research to prevent the introduction of new pathogens, and promoting projects such as the construction of 'anti-epidemic fortresses' in border and front-line areas.