Three more test positive for mpox, raising total to 13

The first mpox patient was reported in June 2022. However, the first five patients were infected overseas. None of the patients infected by mpox since April 7 had traveled outside the country in recent months.

Notification on mpox or monkey pox symptom up at Incheon International Airport. [YONHAP]

Three more people have tested positive for mpox.

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) on Monday, at total of 13 people so far have tested positive for mpox formerly known as monkeypox.

One of the patients is a Seoul resident who tested positive for the disease at a local clinic last Friday. The second patient lives in South Gyeongsang, while the third also lives in South Gyeongsang and had close contact with the second patient.

The second and the third patients were confirmed on Saturday.

None of the patients had traveled abroad in the last three weeks, raising the possibility of the infections occurring within Korea's borders.

The first mpox patient was reported in June 2022. However, the first five patients were infected overseas.

However, none of the patients infected by mpox since April 7 had traveled outside the country in recent months.

“People who suspect they may have been infected or those who have had close contact with an infected person should consult with the KDCA hotline at 1339,” said Jee Young-mee, KDCA commissioner. “And everyone should show extra caution when making contact with strangers.”

However, Jee asked the public not to panic as mpox is spread only through direct contact and is treatable.

KDCA last week elevated its disease alert level from “attention” to “cautious.”

BY LEE HO-JEONG [lee.hojeong@joongang.co.kr]