Patient with 'Dengue Fever' Occurs in Gangwon After Mosquito Bite in Indonesia

Fever, Headache, and Muscle Pain Symptoms
Confirmed Dengue Fever by Health Authorities' Test Results

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] The Gangwon-do Institute of Health and Environment announced on the 23rd that "the first dengue fever patient of the year was confirmed in Gangwon-do on the 20th."

Dengue Fever Mosquito [Asia Economy DB]

According to the Institute of Health and Environment, the patient showed symptoms such as fever, headache, and muscle pain after being bitten by a mosquito in Indonesia, a tropical climate region, and returning to Korea. After medical examination at a hospital and testing by health authorities, the patient was confirmed to have dengue fever.

This is the second case of mosquito-borne infectious disease imported from overseas following the first chikungunya fever patient caused by tropical mosquitoes after traveling to Southeast Asia last month. Dengue fever, a Class 3 legally designated infectious disease, is transmitted by forest mosquitoes carrying the dengue virus.

Dengue fever patients experience high fever along with severe headache, muscle pain, and joint pain, and about 5% progress to severe conditions. Without proper treatment in the early stages, it can be fatal.

Health authorities warned that with the recent increase in overseas travel during the With-Corona era, caution is needed regarding mosquito-borne infectious diseases when visiting dengue fever epidemic areas in Southeast Asia.

Lee Soon-won, director of the Gangwon-do Institute of Health and Environment, said, "Since there is no preventive vaccine or treatment for dengue fever, it is important not to be bitten by mosquitoes," and added, "Please follow preventive measures when traveling abroad and visit medical institutions promptly if you have suspicious symptoms after returning."