SEOUL: Eleven mpox cases have been reported so far this year in the Republic of Korea, but all detected cases were the less deadly Clade II variant, health authorities said Monday.

Yonhap News Agency quoted the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) as saying that the latest case was reported this month, adding that health authorities have bolstered screening at borders to cope with the deadly new variant.

Korea reported 151 mpox cases last year.

Earlier this month, the KDCA decided to redesignate mpox as an infectious disease subject to border screening.

Source: Emirates News Agency