Original Articles
Objectives: This study aimed to analyze epidemiological trends in enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) infections in Gyeonggi Province and explore risk factors associated with the marked increase in cases observed in 2025.
Methods: Epidemiological investigation data collected from 2019 through August 2025 were analyzed. To assess the increase in cases in 2025, the Farrington algorithm was applied using 2019–2023 data as the baseline period. Three analytical models were compared according to the handling of 2020 data: Model 1 included all 2020 data, Model 2 excluded all 2020 data, and Model 3 excluded only outbreak-related cases from 2020. Food exposure categories were additionally reclassified into meat, ground meat products, dairy products, and vegetables/fruits according to the 2024 revision of the epidemiological investigation form.
Results: EHEC infections occurred year-round, with the highest incidence observed from June to August. From January through August 2025, 123 cases were reported, a level comparable to the peak recorded in 2020. All three models detected statistical alerts during July–August 2025, indicating that the increase in cases was atypical regardless of how the 2020 outbreak data were handled. Meat consumption accounted for the largest proportion of reported food exposures, with yukhoe, being particularly prominent among cases in 2025. In addition, the serogroup distribution shifted from O157 dominance toward an increased prevalence of non-O157 serogroups, particularly O103 and O26.
Conclusions: The 2025 surge appears to reflect a shift from localized outbreaks toward more widespread sporadic transmission, characterized by frequent raw beef exposure and increasing diversity of non-O157 serogroups. Strengthening multi-serogroup surveillance and refining epidemiological investigation forms, particularly by subdividing food exposure items, are essential for precise source tracking, earlier detection, and effective prevention.
Methods: Epidemiological investigation data collected from 2019 through August 2025 were analyzed. To assess the increase in cases in 2025, the Farrington algorithm was applied using 2019–2023 data as the baseline period. Three analytical models were compared according to the handling of 2020 data: Model 1 included all 2020 data, Model 2 excluded all 2020 data, and Model 3 excluded only outbreak-related cases from 2020. Food exposure categories were additionally reclassified into meat, ground meat products, dairy products, and vegetables/fruits according to the 2024 revision of the epidemiological investigation form.
Results: EHEC infections occurred year-round, with the highest incidence observed from June to August. From January through August 2025, 123 cases were reported, a level comparable to the peak recorded in 2020. All three models detected statistical alerts during July–August 2025, indicating that the increase in cases was atypical regardless of how the 2020 outbreak data were handled. Meat consumption accounted for the largest proportion of reported food exposures, with yukhoe, being particularly prominent among cases in 2025. In addition, the serogroup distribution shifted from O157 dominance toward an increased prevalence of non-O157 serogroups, particularly O103 and O26.
Conclusions: The 2025 surge appears to reflect a shift from localized outbreaks toward more widespread sporadic transmission, characterized by frequent raw beef exposure and increasing diversity of non-O157 serogroups. Strengthening multi-serogroup surveillance and refining epidemiological investigation forms, particularly by subdividing food exposure items, are essential for precise source tracking, earlier detection, and effective prevention.
Public Health Weekly Report 2026; 19(24): 965-982
Review & Perspective
Objectives: This study aims to examine the importance of and challenges associated with chronic disease management in a super-aged society, highlight the role of laboratory medicine standardization, and propose standardization policies within the national healthcare system.
Methods: This review analyzes the necessity and importance of laboratory medicine standardization in the management of chronic diseases and standardization strategies for key laboratory medicine tests for each chronic disease.
Results: A national laboratory medicine standardization system was established, and the National Medical Reference Laboratory is currently operating within the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. Projects to standardize laboratory medicine are underway through quality assessments of laboratory medicine institutions and systems.
Conclusions: To improve the quality of healthcare services in a super-aged society, the production of certified reference materials for laboratory medicine, implementation of legally enforceable policies, training for medical professionals, and continued investment are necessary. These efforts are expected to promote innovation in the healthcare system and to prepare for the future.
Methods: This review analyzes the necessity and importance of laboratory medicine standardization in the management of chronic diseases and standardization strategies for key laboratory medicine tests for each chronic disease.
Results: A national laboratory medicine standardization system was established, and the National Medical Reference Laboratory is currently operating within the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. Projects to standardize laboratory medicine are underway through quality assessments of laboratory medicine institutions and systems.
Conclusions: To improve the quality of healthcare services in a super-aged society, the production of certified reference materials for laboratory medicine, implementation of legally enforceable policies, training for medical professionals, and continued investment are necessary. These efforts are expected to promote innovation in the healthcare system and to prepare for the future.
Public Health Weekly Report 2026; 19(24): 983-1002
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