Post-Covid-19, North Korea faces unidentified gastrointestinal “epidemic”
State media reported an outbreak of infections in the southwest of the country.
In addition, Kim Yo-jong, sister of the North Korean leader, was part of a group of officials who participated in the donation of medicines.
North Korean authorities have dispatched medical teams and epidemiological investigators to a province battling an outbreak of an unidentified intestinal disease. As reported by state media, at least 800 families are suffering from what has been called an “acute enteric epidemic.” Those affected received aid in South Hwanghae province, about 120 kilometers south of the capital, Pyongyang.
South Korean officials claim that this disease of the gastrointestinal tract may be related to cholera or typhoid fever. It is worth mentioning that this new outbreak, first reported last Thursday, puts further pressure on the isolated country as it battles food shortages and a wave of COVID-19 infections.
This weekend, the state news agency KCNA made reference to the preventive measures taken by North Korean officials. These include quarantines, “intensive screening for all residents”, in addition to treatment and monitoring, especially for the most vulnerable groups, such as children and the elderly.
According to the agency, a “rapid diagnosis and treatment team” is working together with local health personnel. In addition, measures are being taken to ensure that agricultural activity is not interrupted in the area. On the other hand, they continue to carry out disinfection work, including sewage and other waste, in order to guarantee the safety of drinking water in homes.
Kim Yo-jong, sister of the North Korean leader, was part of a group of senior officials who participated in the donation of medicines to contain the situation. In addition, the treatment will be delivered to “more than 800 families suffering from the enteric epidemic that occurred in various areas of South Hwanghae province,” KCNA explained on Friday. According to these data, at least 1,600 people would suffer from intestinal disorders.
The official in charge of epidemic emergency work in North Korea, Ryu Yong Chol, warned that enteric diseases could be spread through the personal belongings, food and drinks of infected people. In this framework, as he explained, the most efficient way to prevent the spread of this unknown virus is to strictly isolate infected patients.
This new “enteric epidemic” came as North Korea continues to battle a strong wave of covid-19, or “fever cases.” In this framework, the KCNA agency reported 19,310 new cases of fever last Sunday, but did not detail how many of those were considered positive for covid.
In addition, since the country first recognized an outbreak of covid-19, for the month of May, more than 4.5 million cases of “fever” and 73 deaths have been registered, in a population of 25 million people. virtually unvaccinated, according to data published by state media.
