By Jhoo Dong-chan
The health authorities are considering designating Zika fever as a state-managed infectious disease, as its cause, the Zika virus (ZIKV) that also causes microcephaly in unborn infants, is spreading worldwide.
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) said Tuesday that it may announce the designation as part of preventive measures against the disease.
The designation would allow the government to take prompt action in the case of an outbreak.
The virus is transmitted by a mosquito variant and has with an incubation period of 10 days. Those who contract the disease are reported to suffer fever, rashes and a minor degree of arthralgia. If a woman contracts the Zika virus during pregnancy, the baby may be born with a reduced head size. No human deaths from the disease have been reported so far.
"We haven't seen any signs that the virus is coming to Korea," said a KCDC official. "It is unlikely for the virus to spread to Korea because mosquitoes are not active in the winter here. But we recommend being cautious when traveling to countries where the virus is spreading."
The virus was first reported in Brazil last May and has been spreading throughout Latin America including Mexico and Columbia. The infection has most recently been reported in the U.S and Taiwan.
The health authorities are considering designating Zika fever as a state-managed infectious disease, as its cause, the Zika virus (ZIKV) that also causes microcephaly in unborn infants, is spreading worldwide.
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) said Tuesday that it may announce the designation as part of preventive measures against the disease.
The designation would allow the government to take prompt action in the case of an outbreak.
The virus is transmitted by a mosquito variant and has with an incubation period of 10 days. Those who contract the disease are reported to suffer fever, rashes and a minor degree of arthralgia. If a woman contracts the Zika virus during pregnancy, the baby may be born with a reduced head size. No human deaths from the disease have been reported so far.
"We haven't seen any signs that the virus is coming to Korea," said a KCDC official. "It is unlikely for the virus to spread to Korea because mosquitoes are not active in the winter here. But we recommend being cautious when traveling to countries where the virus is spreading."
The virus was first reported in Brazil last May and has been spreading throughout Latin America including Mexico and Columbia. The infection has most recently been reported in the U.S and Taiwan.
![[INTERVIEW] Production company AStory expects great success with 'Extraordinary Attorney Woo' franchise](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/06bfe09b25694aafbd347202cbad4257.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
