- Rachel Schreyer and Anyuan Song
- BBC
3 hours ago
A worker sterilizes a vehicle carrying medical oxygen in Pyongyang
North Korea is suffering from the spread of the Corona virus among a people who have not received vaccines, and without the ability to obtain effective antiviral drugs.
In early 2020, the country closed its borders in an effort to insulate itself from the pandemic.
Its leadership has so far refused outside medical support.
Official media recommended relying on traditional treatments to deal with what they refer to as “fever”.
hot drinks
For those without serious symptoms, the ruling party’s Rodong Simnon newspaper recommended remedies including ginger or honeysuckle tea and willow leaf brew.
picture released, Getty Images
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un appeared wearing a mask to order a nationwide lockdown
Hot drinks may relieve some symptoms of the Corona virus, such as a sore throat or cough, and help rehydrate the body when patients lose more fluids than usual.
Ginger and willow leaves also relieve inflammation and reduce pain, but they are not a cure for the virus itself.
salty water
State media recently gave an interview to a couple who recommended gargling with salt water morning and evening.
The official news agency reported that “one thousand tons of salt” was sent to Pyongyang to make a “disinfectant solution”.
Some studies suggest that gargling and rinsing the nose with salt water fight viruses that cause colds.
But there is little evidence that they slow the spread of the coronavirus.
picture released, Archyde.com
The army was used to distribute medical supplies
A study found that mouthwash can kill the virus in the laboratory.
But it has not been convincingly proven to help humans.
Corona virus infection is transmitted mainly by inhaling droplets in the air through the nose and mouth, so gargling attacks only one of the two points of entry of the virus into the body.
Once the virus enters the body, it multiplies and spreads deep into the organs, places where gargling cannot reach.
Painkillers and antibiotics
State television advised patients to use painkillers such as ibuprofen, as well as amoxicillin, and other antibiotics.
picture released, Getty Images
Painkillers can help treat symptoms, but they won’t stop the virus
Ibuprofen (and paracetamol) can lower the temperature and relieve symptoms such as headache or sore throat.
But it will not be able to eliminate the virus or prevent it from developing.
Antibiotics meant for bacterial infections, not viruses, are not recommended.
Using antibiotics unnecessarily creates a risk of infection with bacteria and viruses that are resistant to antibiotics.
Laboratory research suggests that some antibiotics may slow the spread of some viruses, including the coronavirus, but this has not been shown to work in the real world.
A study conducted on the antibiotic “azithromycin” found that it did not make a significant difference or did not make a difference at all with the symptoms of the Corona virus, and the possibility of the patient being transferred to the hospital or his death.
There are some approved medications to prevent people infected with the Corona virus from entering the hospital, such as:
The antivirals Baxilovid, Molnopiravir, and Remdesivir
Treatments with antibodies that mimic the immune system
But its effectiveness varies.
health system
North Korea’s health system was set up to provide free medical care, ranging from basic services at the village level to specialized treatments in government hospitals (usually in urban centers).
But the economy has shrunk in recent years due to sanctions imposed on the country, and extreme weather conditions such as drought.
Closure of the country’s borders and strict lockdown measures will also have harmful repercussions.
picture released, KCTV
State media reported cases of coronavirus, and recommended isolation treatment
The health system is particularly weak outside Pyongyang and is believed to be short of staff, medicine and equipment.
A United Nations report last year said: “Some manufacturers of medicines, vaccines and medical devices do not live up to the level of good practice of the World Health Organization and do not meet local demand either.”
Many North Koreans fleeing to South Korea spoke of having to pay for medicines, and of limiting treatments and medicines to privileged members of the ruling party.
But state media says production is now increasing.
international aid
North Korea rejected three million doses of Chinese-made vaccines last year as part of the global “Cofax” initiative aimed at making available vaccines for the Corona virus. Pyongyang has reportedly rejected other offers.
South Korea says it has received no response to its offer of vaccines, medical supplies and personnel.
Reports indicate that North Korea recently sent three planes to transport medical supplies from Shenyang.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry said that these supplies did not include “anti-epidemic supplies”, but that it was “ready to work with North Korea regarding the fight against the coronavirus.”