Korea reports second confirmed case of monkeypox

A sign at Incheon International Airport on July 18 alerts travellers of monkeypox symptoms. Korea reported its second confirmed case of the virus on Saturday. [NEWS1]

Korean health authorities reported the country's second confirmed case of monkeypox over the weekend, raising concerns about the potential spread of another virus amid an ongoing spike in Covid-19 infections.

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) on Saturday, the patient is a Korean citizen who arrived at Incheon International Airport from Europe on Aug. 18.

The patient initially visited a small private clinic in Seoul on Aug. 30 after they began experiencing a fever, headaches, dizziness and skin pain two days earlier.

The patient then submitted a report to a local public health center on Thursday, which led the Seoul city health service to order a viral genetic test that confirmed the monkeypox infection on Saturday.

The KDCA transferred the patient the same day to receive treatment in isolation at the National Medical Center. The patient is reported to be in good condition with mild symptoms.

Korea reported its first confirmed case of monkeypox in June. The patient in that case was discharged from hospital in July.

Monkeypox is a virus usually found in central and western Africa with symptoms including fever, swollen lymph nodes and a rash that forms lesions and then crusts over.

This year’s monkeypox outbreak is the first instance of community transmission outside of Africa and was declared a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern” by the World Health Organization in July.

More than 53,000 cases have been reported across 75 countries and territories.

Although Korean health authorities have classified monkeypox as a second-degree infectious disease out of a four-tier system, alongside Covid-19, the second confirmed patient’s clinic did not suspect monkeypox as the cause of his symptoms, likely due to their unfamiliarity with the disease.

The KDCA noted during its Saturday press briefing that medical staff at the clinic visited by the patient were not aware of the patient’s overseas travel history and did not enquire if he had recently traveled abroad.

The patient began exhibiting symptoms of infection 10 days after his return to Korea. The incubation period for monkeypox can range from six to 13 days.

The patient also did not show more obvious symptoms often associated with monkeypox, such as rashes or blisters, according to health authorities.

BY MICHAEL LEE [lee.junhyuk@joongang.co.kr]