PHWR Public Health Weekly Report

Vol.18 No.18, May 08, 2025 Article TypePublic Health IssuesQuickStatsSurveillance Reports

• Surveillance Reports 2025-05-08

  0 329 76

  Analysis of Adenovirus Detection Trends in the Republic of Korea (2023–2024)

  Nam-Joo Lee , SangHee Woo , Jaehee Lee , Jee Eun Rhee , Eun-Jin Kim

  Public Health Weekly Report 2025; 18(18): 677-688 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2025.18.18.1

  

  

  Abstract

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  Objectives: This study aimed to assess the prevalence and serotype distribution of adenovirus in the Republic of Korea (ROK) by analyzing detection rates and identifying the predominant circulating serotypes.
  Methods: Through the Korea Respiratory viruses Integrated Surveillance System, real-time polymerase chain reaction testing was performed on 33,688 respiratory specimens collected from symptomatic individuals in ROK between January 2023 and December 2024. Detection rates of adenovirus were analyzed, and selected positive samples—stratified by age group—were further examined via nucleotide sequencing to determine serotype distribution.
  Results: The average adenovirus detection rates in 2023 and 2024 were 14.8% and 5.8%, respectively. A significant increase in detection rates was observed from summer to autumn in 2023, peaking at 42.4% during weeks 29 to 33, followed by a gradual decline. By 2024, detection rates decreased and remained below 10%. Age-stratified analysis revealed a higher detection rate among individuals aged 0–12 years, with the highest rate (27.5%) observed in the 0–6 years subgroup. Serotyping revealed serotype 3 as the most prevalent, accounting for 36.0% of cases, followed by serotypes 2, 1, and other subtypes. Significantly, serotype 3 predominated during the summer and autumn of 2023. Additionally, serotype 14, previously unreported in the community, was consistently detected throughout 2024.
  Conclusions: This analysis suggests that the unusual increase in adenovirus detection during the summer of 2023 may have been driven by an outbreak of serotype 3 and highlights the importance for close monitoring for potential clinical changes following the identification of a new serotype, type 14. Accordingly, the national surveillance system will continue to operate to enhance our understanding of respiratory infectious disease trends and to support effective responses, providing data on pathogen detection patterns and characteristic analyses, including serotype identification.

• Public Health Issues 2025-05-08

  0 356 78

  Mokpo National Hospital: 63-year History and Achievements with Tuberculosis

  Jin-Seon Jo , Chang-Nam Back , Hyun-Ho Park , Hyang-Sook Jeong , Su-Nam Kim , Seung Kyu-Park

  Public Health Weekly Report 2025; 18(18): 689-704 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2025.18.18.2

  

  

  Abstract

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  Objectives: Through an analysis of the 63-year history and achievements of the National Mokpo Hospital, this study aimed to highlight the excellence of tuberculosis treatment, raise social awareness of tuberculosis management, and re-examine the position and role of the hospital as a key institution in efforts to control tuberculosis.
  Methods: This study was prepared using annual reports published by the National Mokpo Hospital, as well as relevant research papers and literature reviews.
  Results: Mokpo National Hospital was founded in 1962 as the “Mokpo Children’s Tuberculosis Hospital”, jointly by foreign aid organizations and Mokpo City, and was re-organized and promoted to a national hospital in 1983. It continues to play a role as a national institution, including the first “integrated nursing and care service” among national hospitals and the “integrated treatment and care support project” linked to long-term care facilities.
  Conclusions: Mokpo National Hospital has established a medical safety net for people with a low-income, treatment for the vulnerable, and intensive management of patients who are difficult to manage in the private sector, such as patients with tuberculosis who are difficult to treat, and also the training of experts in the treatment of tuberculosis. The establishment of the “Mokpo National Hospital specialized in Multi-resistant Tuberculosis (2027)” is planned for advanced treatment and management of patients who have developed resistance to tuberculosis drugs. In the future, we will continue to take the lead in laying the foundation for the early eradication of tuberculosis by strengthening publicity, education, treatment, and research, to discover the vulnerabilities of tuberculosis infection.

• QuickStats 2025-05-08

  0 284 63

  Trends in the Prevalence Gap of Hypertension Diagnosis between Cities or Provinces, during 2015–2024

  Yoon-sil Ko

  Public Health Weekly Report 2025; 18(18): 705-706 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2025.18.18.3

  

  

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