▲ Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency
Amid suspicions of a plague infection following the death of an unknown pneumonia patient at a Russian research institute, health authorities have assessed that the possibility of its influx and occurrence in South Korea is very low.
Regarding the suspected plague cases in Russia, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) stated, "We have assessed the likelihood of occurrence in South Korea as 'very low,' and its impact as 'low.'"
The KDCA cited as reasons that no symptoms have developed among contacts other than the deceased in Russia, no pathogens have been reported detected, and the contacts are currently in quarantine.
Furthermore, the agency noted that even if the death from unknown pneumonia in Russia is confirmed to be a plague infection, the impact on South Korea is expected to be minimal.
The KDCA concluded that even if a patient were to enter the country, there would be no difficulty in treatment as the nation has a sufficient stockpile of antibiotics and a variety of antibiotics are already widely distributed on the market.
While assessing the possibility of the plague entering South Korea as very low, the KDCA plans to continue monitoring the situation on the ground in Russia.
Previously, local media reported that Daria Shipilova, a researcher at the Siberia and Far East Plague Research Institute, died on October 2 from "pneumonia of unknown cause."
Russian health authorities stated that tests on Shipilova's remains did not detect the dangerous pathogens handled at the institute, nor was the plague bacterium identified.
However, as the exact cause of death has not yet been disclosed, questions surrounding the Russian authorities' transparency continue.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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