'Mpox' Re-designated as Quarantine Infectious Disease... Eight Countries Including Congo Classified as Controlled Areas

Strengthening Quarantine for Arrivals at Airports and Ports

On the 20th, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) announced that as of the 21st, Mpox will be re-designated as a quarantine infectious disease, and eight countries, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, will be designated as quarantine management areas. This measure follows the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring Mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on the 14th (local time).

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Accordingly, travelers entering the country who have visited eight countries?Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, Ethiopia, the Central African Republic, Kenya, Congo, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo?and exhibit systemic symptoms such as fever, chills, lymphadenopathy, and rash must report to quarantine officers upon entry.

The KDCA plans to implement strengthened quarantine measures following the re-designation of Mpox as a quarantine infectious disease. First, epidemiological investigators and public health doctors will be stationed at the gate for direct flights from Ethiopia at Incheon Airport. Complementary surveillance for Mpox introduction will be conducted through wastewater monitoring of direct flights from Ethiopia and major transit flights. Both online and offline promotions at airports and ports will encourage symptomatic individuals to voluntarily report themselves.

To prevent Mpox, when visiting Mpox outbreak countries or quarantine management areas, it is advised to ▲avoid close contact (skin or sexual) with unknown persons or multiple partners, ▲refrain from contact with or consumption of wild animals such as rodents (rats, squirrels) and primates (monkeys, apes), and ▲avoid touching mucous membranes with contaminated hands while adhering to personal hygiene practices such as handwashing.

As the domestic occurrence of Mpox has steadily decreased and the situation has stabilized, it has been reclassified as a Class 3 infectious disease starting this year and has been managed stably within the current healthcare system. Health authorities stated, "Mpox is a preventable and treatable disease," and recommended that "anyone concerned about infection or exhibiting suspicious symptoms should promptly seek medical care at the nearest medical institution, and high-risk groups should make reservations through the Vaccination Helper site to receive Mpox vaccination."

Ji Young-mi, head of the KDCA, emphasized, "It is important to be informed about countries where Mpox variants have emerged and to follow preventive measures," adding, "If you have suspicious symptoms upon entering the country from abroad, report to quarantine officers, and if suspicious symptoms develop during daily life after entry, visit a medical institution, inform them of your overseas travel history, and receive medical care."