PHWR Public Health Weekly Report

Vol.17 No.19, May 16, 2024 Article TypeQuickStatsSurveillance Reports

• Surveillance Reports 2024-05-16

  0 144 49

  Preventive Responses to Avian Influenza Infections in Humans in the Honam Region in the Republic of Korea, 2022–2024

  Yeong-Jun Song, Jia Kim, Jeong-Hee Yu

  Public Health Weekly Report 2024; 17(19): 789-801 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2024.17.19.1

  

  

  Abstract

  Full Text Cite Share

  Avian influenza (AI) virus infects various types of vertebrates, including humans, who are exposed to infected birds or contaminated environments. No cases of human AI infection were reported in the Honam area from the 2022–2024 season. Ninety-four cases and 31 cases of high pathogenicity were detected in poultry farms and wild birds in the Honam area during the 2022–2023 season and 2023–2024 season, respectively. The Honam Regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention maintained a cooperative system between local governments and related institutions and attempted to prevent the outbreak and spread of AI human infections through human infection prevention measures and on-site testing support. The number of farm-related workers, culling study participants and response personnel in high-risk groups was 2,996 in the 2022–2023 season and 3,126 in the 2023–2024 season. When responding to human AI infections, we prepared management reports for high-risk groups, implemented preventive measures (e.g., the seasonal influenza vaccination), educated participants on how to put on and take off personal protective equipment, checked the condition of their clothes, and conducted on-site inspections of protected areas. We will continue to contribute to the prevention of human AI infections by maintaining a cooperative system and strengthening information exchanges between local governments and institutions in charge of surviving these infections in order to prevent their outbreak and spread.

• Surveillance Reports 2024-05-16

  4 254 67

  Characteristics and Trends of COVID-19 Deaths in the Republic of Korea (January 20, 2020–August 30, 2023)

  So Young Choi, Boyeong Ryu, Se-Jin Jeong, Minjeong Jang, Misuk An, Shin Young Park, Seong-Sun Kim

  Public Health Weekly Report 2024; 17(19): 802-822 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2024.17.19.2

  

  

  Abstract

  Full Text Cite Share

  To monitor the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency operated a death reporting system based on the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act from the date of the first report of COVID-19 case on January 20, 2020 to August 30, 2023. In this report, characteristics of all COVID-19-related deaths reported during the pandemic ( January 1, 2020 to August 30, 2023) are analyzed. A descriptive analysis was conducted on demographic and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 related deaths, and the severity of COVID-19 was calculated using case fatality and mortality rates. All analyses were compared by year. A total of 35,605 deaths were reported during the monitoring period. Most deaths occurred among older adult group or those with underlying medical conditions. The fatality rate was 0.10%, and the mortality rate was 69 per 100,000 population. The fatality rate of those over 80 years of age was 1.75%; it was the highest among all age groups. Republic of Korea’s COVID-19 case fatality rate was one of the lowest worldwide, and the legal status of COVID-19 was downgraded from Class 2 to Class 4 on August 31, 2023. However, as new mutated viruses continue emerging and the COVID-19 epidemic continues, the management of high-risk groups (e.g., older adults and individuals with underlying diseases), is necessary. In particular, timely vaccinations should be continued for high-risk groups to prevent severe COVID-19 infections.

• QuickStats 2024-05-16

  1 128 45

  International Comparison of Daily Smokers, with OECD Countries

  Public Health Weekly Report 2024; 17(19): 823-824 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2024.17.19.3

  

  

  Full Text Cite Share