PHWR Public Health Weekly Report

Vol.16 No.2, January 12, 2023 Article TypeNotes from the FieldPolicy NotesQuickStats

• Notes from the Field 2023-01-12

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  Introduction of Laboratory Diagnosis and Examination of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease

  Su Gwon Roh, Byoungchul Gill, Jun Young Kim, Jaeil Yoo*

  Public Health Weekly Report 2023; 16(2): 19-35 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2023.16.2.1

  

  

  Abstract

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  Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is an infectious prion disease caused by the accumulation of misfolded prion proteins in the central nervous system. It is associated cognitive impairment and ataxia, and results in death within several months after the onset. CJD is subdivided into sporadic, genetic, and acquired types according to the phenotype, epidemiological features, and pathogenesis. Laboratory diagnosis of CJD offers the advantage of being autopsy-free and is essential for accurate diagnosis of the disease along with assessment of clinical symptoms and electroencephalography. In addition, since the incidence of CJD is increasing worldwide, including in the Republic of Korea, the importance of laboratory diagnosis of the disease is also increasing. The 14-3-3 protein analysis, real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC), prion protein (PRNP) gene mutation analysis are mainly used to diagnose CJD. Since each of these diagnostic tests has different interpretations and limitations, combined analysis is essential for the accurate diagnosis and classification of CJD. For efficient disease management, a diagnosis accompanied by simultaneous multilateral analysis using various laboratory diagnostics is indispensable in patients with suspected CJD.

• Policy Notes 2023-01-12

  1 866 242

  Results of the Food and Waterborne Disease Surveillance during the Summer in 2022

  Da Seul Kim, Inho Kim, Hyungjun Kim, Ji Ae Shim, Jisu Won, Jin Gwak*

  Public Health Weekly Report 2023; 16(2): 36-50 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2023.16.2.2

  

  

  Abstract

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  The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency operates an “Enhanced Surveillance of Food and Waterborne Disease (FWD) Outbreaks” from May 1 to September 30 every year based on reports of municipal, provincial, city and district health centers nationwide to respond quickly to mass outbreaks. The surveillance is used to prevent FWD in summer, when temperatures are expected to increase. During the operation of surveillance in the summer of 2022, in all, 300 outbreaks of FWD were reported; this number is in line with the pre-coronavirus disease 2 019 (COVID-19) number. The most outbreaks, 89 (29.7%), occurred in July 2022, followed by 70, 59, 45, and 37 outbreaks in June, May, August, and September, respectively. Regarding the regions in which outbreaks occurred, the majority were reported in Gyeonggi-do (61), Seoul (48), and Busan (27). Most outbreaks occurred in restaurants, followed by daycare centers and school facilities, including kindergarten facilities. Therefore, because the number of FWD in the summer of 2022 recovered to the pre-COVID-19 level, the management of diseases also needs to be as it was before COVID-19. Education on personal hygiene and safe water and food, and the efforts of managers and workers in group-catering facilities such as schools, workplaces, and restaurants, where there is a high risk of outbreaks, are important to prevent large-scale outbreaks of FWD.

• QuickStats 2023-01-12

  0 1656 466

  The 2012–2021 Trends in Skipping Breakfast among Korean People

  Public Health Weekly Report 2023; 16(2): 51-52 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2023.16.2.3

  

  

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