[Breaking] Fourth Monkeypox Patient Confirmed in Korea... Medical Staff Treating Third Patient

Electron microscope image of the monkeypox virus Korean isolate. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Hyewon] The Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH) announced on the 22nd that the fourth domestic case of monkeypox has been confirmed.

According to the CDCH, the patient is a medical staff member of the isolation ward where the third confirmed patient was hospitalized for testing. On the 14th, the staff member was pricked by a needle while collecting a skin lesion specimen and was classified as a high-risk contact, undergoing active monitoring.

Immediately after the incident was reported, the patient received a preventive vaccination with the monkeypox vaccine. However, on the morning of the same day, a skin lesion appeared at the puncture site, and genetic testing was conducted in the isolation ward, confirming a positive result.

The patient is currently hospitalized in isolation and will receive treatment until released from isolation. Aside from mild systemic symptoms such as headache, the overall condition is reported to be good.