[서울=뉴스핌] Reporter Kim Kyung-min = HK inno.N has entered into an internal review to obtain permission for a smallpox vaccine for the prevention of ‘monkey smallpox’.
HK Innoen announced on the 24th that it is discussing clinical design to see if the indication (range of use) can be expanded from its smallpox vaccine to monkey smallpox vaccine.
An official from HK Innoen said, “It is still in the early stages, and after clinical design, we need to discuss it with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”
HK Innoen is the only smallpox vaccine supplier to the government. The government is stockpiling smallpox vaccines in case of national counter-terrorism.
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Currently, the number of cases of monkey smallpox, a viral infectious disease endemic to parts of central and western Africa, is rapidly increasing around the world.
Monkey smallpox is a monkey contagious disease caused by the monkey mama virus and can be transmitted to humans. It causes a blistering rash on the face and body, clinically similar to smallpox.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there have been 120 cases of smallpox in monkeys in 12 member countries as of the 22nd local time. There are 98 confirmed cases and 28 suspected cases.
kmkim@newspim.com