North Korea Reports at Least 800 Families Suffering From Mysterious Intestinal Disease Described as 'Acute Enteric Epidemic'

North Korea has dispatched medical personnel and epidemiological investigators to a region dealing with an epidemic of a mystery intestinal ailment.

At least 800 residents in South Hwanghae Province have received assistance due to what North Korea has only described as an "acute enteric epidemic."

According to CNN, the gastrointestinal tract is referred to as enteric. However, South Korean officials believe it might be cholera or typhoid.

The current epidemic, first reported on Thursday, adds to the isolation of the nation, which is already dealing with chronic food shortages and a surge of COVID-19 infections.

North Korea Sends 'Enough' Medicines To Patients Suffering From Mystery Disease

According to the state-run news reports, authorities have sent enough medicine to those suffering from the acute epidemic in South Hwanghae.

The country's propaganda outlets have attempted to convey a sense of urgency and generosity on behalf of Kim Jong Un, whose family, they say, personally helped prepare the medicines.

To fulfill their bounden duties as officials of the Party Central Committee, KCNA said Kim Jong Un instructed the primary Party committees and Party cells of the departments of the WPK Central Committee to organize the work of sincerely preparing and sending medicines needed.

"The respected General Secretary Kim Jong Un sent medicines prepared by his family to the Haeju City, South Hwanghae Province, Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) on June 15 as regards the outbreak of an acute enteric epidemic in Haeju City of South Hwanghae Province," state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

Other Steps That North Korea Is Taking

Sky News citing North Korean state news KCNA, said: "The people in Haeju City shouted, 'Long Live Comrade Kim Jong Un!' and 'Long Live the Workers' Party of Korea!' at the top of their voice, crying in gratitude."

Many people in the province sobbed after receiving the treatments.

Quarantine, "extensive screening for all inhabitants," and particular care and surveillance of vulnerable persons, including children and the elderly, were among the agency's preventative measures.

According to the report, a national "Rapid Diagnosis and Treatment Team" collaborates with local health officials. Steps are being made to ensure that cultivation in the crucial agricultural area is not disturbed.

Disinfection work, including sewage and other trash, is also being done to protect the safety of drinking and domestic water.

Voice of America (VOA) said South Korea has volunteered to assist in the fight against the sickness, but North Korea has not responded.

The situation might provide a significant problem for North Korea's administration, which may be unable to cope with two big illness outbreaks simultaneously.

The scope of the gastrointestinal epidemic is unknown, VOA added. According to state media, authorities have ordered all suspected cases to be isolated. On Friday, they said that quarantine facilities would be set up around the country.

The receivers of the unnamed medicine "warmly cherished the benevolent image," comparing the North Korean leader to "the greatest mother in the world."

North Korea COVID-19 Cases

Two years after COVID-19 shook the world, Republic World said North Korea claimed a statewide coronavirus outbreak on May 13. The rise in cases resulted in 19,310 new cases of fever, without detailing how many of those people have tested positive for coronavirus. Over 4.6 million people have suffered fever-like symptoms since the epidemic was announced in mid-May.

Earlier this month, during a meeting of the governing party, Kim said that the pandemic scenario had breached the "severe crisis" threshold. The country, on the other hand, continues to impose significant restrictions. According to some international observers, the limitations would exacerbate the country's already-struggling economy, which pandemic-related border closures and UN sanctions have pounded for years.

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