According to reports, South Korea has begun enhancing border controls and testing for arrivals from five African nations due to an outbreak of the Marburg virus, officials announced on Thursday (10 October).
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) stated that travelers arriving from Rwanda, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo must report to authorities if they develop any symptoms related to the virus within 21 days of their visit.
• These measures follow Rwanda’s report of 56 Marburg virus infections since late September, including 12 fatalities.
• The KDCA will also deploy health officials at arrival gates for direct flights from Ethiopia to check passengers’ body temperatures.
• Symptoms of the virus include fever, chills, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. The KDCA emphasized the importance of precautionary measures, as there is currently no vaccine or treatment available.