Italy and South Korea raise mpox alert level

Italy's health ministry and South Korean authorities on Friday said that they had raised diagnostic surveillance for mpox, noting that the situation is under control.

"The epidemiological situation in Italy at the moment is under control as no cases have been ascertained of the new strain (clade I) of pox", the ministry said, as quoted by the Italian news agency (ANSA).

"Our offices are in constant contact with international organizations to elaborate shared measures", said Mara Campitiello, the head of the ministry's department for prevention.

On Friday, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) raised its risk alert level for mpox, urging countries to maintain high awareness levels among travellers visiting from affected areas.

On Wednesday, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years after an outbreak of the viral infection in the Democratic Republic of Congo that spread to neighbouring African countries.

In Asia, South Korean authorities have decided to ramp up quarantine and surveillance measures, according to the Korean news agency (YONHAP)

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) announced the decision after a meeting with medical and academic experts Friday to discuss the potential of mpox entering the country and response strategies.

KDCA officials and experts determined that the current domestic mpox situation remains manageable under existing disease control protocols. However, they decided to enhance quarantine and surveillance efforts without reissuing the crisis alert that was lifted last May.

As of August 9, South Korea had reported 10 mpox cases this year, a decrease from 151 in 2023, according to the KDCA.

The agency noted that all cases this year involved men aged 20 to 40, with nine domestic cases and one linked to overseas travel.

It also reported that it has adequate supplies to respond to any new cases, with 20,000 doses of the Jynneos mpox vaccine and treatments available for 504 people.

"Please avoid close contact with strangers, get tested immediately if you suspect exposure or symptoms and participate in vaccination efforts," said Jee Young-mee, commissioner of the KDCA.