As the number of domestic Mpox confirmed cases increased by 15 within two weeks, raising concerns about community spread, infectious disease experts are voicing that “the gender and age group of confirmed cases should be presented in statistics for infection prevention”.
According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on the 21st, the number of domestic Mpox confirmed cases reached 20 after 15 additional cases were reported since the 7th. All 15 cases were classified as domestic infections as they had no history of overseas travel before symptom onset, occurring in seven cities and provinces including Seoul, Gyeonggi, Daegu, Gyeongbuk, Gyeongnam, Jeonnam, and Chungbuk. Professor Kim Woo-joo of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Korea University Guro Hospital stated, “Assuming one confirmed case contacted 30 people within three weeks, at least 450 people are currently at risk of additional infection during the three-week incubation period.” An epidemiological investigation of the sixth confirmed case on the 7th revealed a total of 36 contacts.
Some argue that since data on 20 cases have been collected, the age groups and genders at risk of infection should be disclosed. Professor Kim Woo-joo said, “Especially in the early stages of spread, disclosing age and gender helps people in similar groups better adhere to infection prevention guidelines,” adding, “Unlike names and residential areas at the eup, myeon, and dong levels, this information cannot be considered personal information.” The health authorities, however, do not disclose information that could cause social stigma in accordance with the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act revised in March 2020.
Professor Eom Jung-sik of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Gachon University Gil Medical Center said, “Specific information such as the gender and age of the nth confirmed case may have a greater stigmatizing effect than preventive benefits,” but also stated, “The average gender and age of currently confirmed cases can be sufficiently disclosed.” He added, “If active publicity and preventive activities are not conducted early in the spread, at least an epidemic at the level of Japan will occur.” As of the 16th, 103 Mpox confirmed cases have been reported in Japan.
Instead, the health authorities are indirectly indicating the age groups and genders to be cautious of by releasing overseas Mpox confirmed case statistics. According to World Health Organization (WHO) data released by the health authorities, among 77,740 overseas Mpox confirmed cases, males accounted for 96.4%, and females 3.6%. Among these, males aged 18 to 44 accounted for 79.2%. Among males whose sexual orientation was identified (30,438), 84.1% reported having sexual contact with other males, indicating that transmission mainly occurs through male-to-male sexual contact.
The health authorities stated that “statistics will be prepared when confirmed cases occur in all 17 cities and provinces or when academically meaningful evidence is secured.” Currently, since the number of confirmed cases is small, there is a high possibility of identifying individuals, so they plan to review the matter with sufficient time.
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