Genetic fingerprints of cholera bacteria from 2 patients found identical

Experts raised the possibility on Friday that there may be a "third figure" between the two cholera patients who have been confirmed in Korea for the first time in 15 years, or that nearby waters may have been contaminated. Judging there is a possibility that cholera bacteria may have further spread in the South Gyeongsang provincial region, whichever is the case, health authorities are expanding investigation.

The Korea Center for Disease Control and Prevention said on Friday that genetic fingerprints between two cholera strains that infected patient A and patient B are identical. The two patients never met each other nor did they dine at the same place. The situation can be metaphorically compared to a case wherein robbers entered two households, but the genes of hair strains found at the two households are identical.

One possibility suggests that fisheries that they ate might have been caught in waters contaminated with the same cholera strain. The Geoje branch of the Tongyeong quarantine office has decided to expand the scope of seawaters to be tested for contamination with help from the Oceans and Fisheries Affairs Ministry.

The second possibility is that a resident who never met the two patients transmitted cholera to them. Since patient B moved to and from her home and church due to knee surgery she had in June, health authorities are investigating vocations of her fellow churchgoers and places they visited for now.

조건희기자 becom@donga.com