PHWR Public Health Weekly Report

Vol.17 No.20, May 23, 2024 Article TypeOriginal ArticlesOutbreak ReportsQuickStats

• Outbreak Reports 2024-05-23

  0 158 45

  Result of Tuberculosis Epidemiological Investigation in a Workplace

  Yoon-Hee Lee, Da-Heen Son, A-Ra Ko, Tae-Eun Kim, Yuna Kim

  Public Health Weekly Report 2024; 17(20): 825-839 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2024.17.20.1

  

  

  Abstract

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  Tuberculosis (TB) is an airborne infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. TB is transmitted upon expulsion of the TB bacteria into air through coughing and sneezing, potentially infecting people nearby. Whenever TB cases are reported in a group facility, epidemiological investigations targeting individuals in close contact of the patient are conducted. This field report describes the epidemiological investigation of a tuberculosis outbreak that occurred at a workplace in the Chungcheong region. We analyzed the epidemiological characteristics of patients with tuberculosis, including latent infections, and genotyped patient specimens. Two additional tuberculosis cases within the same workplace were identified and confirmed to be caused by the same type of bacteria through genotypic analysis, indicating transmission within the group. Through this investigation, we reiterate the importance of early response and environmental management in tuberculosis prevention and control in workplace settings.

• Original Articles 2024-05-23

  1 171 54

  Policy Suggestion on Empowerment of Prevention and Management of Pediatric Obesity

  Sujin Park, Sochung Chung, Hyo Seon Jeong, Young-Min Noh, Eungu Kang, Yong Hee Hong

  Public Health Weekly Report 2024; 17(20): 840-858 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2024.17.20.2

  

  

  Abstract

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  Obesity among children and adolescents is a serious global public health problem. It can lead to obesity in adults, decreased healthy life expectancy, and increased medical costs. Therefore, a national-level intervention, prevention, and active management of obesity are imperative. Current obesity prevention and management projects for children and adolescents are temporary, segmented, and duplicative, with a notable lack of efficient government-led program. In this study, we uncovered the current status of obesity prevention and management projects for children and adolescents, along with problems associated with it from multifaceted perspectives. A survey and in-depth interviews were conducted with fieldworkers and experts. Based on the results of this study, we suggested the following policy directions.

• Original Articles 2024-05-23

  1 193 60

  Monkeypox Virus Genomic Analysis in the Republic of Korea: A Comparison of Metagenomic- and Probe Hybridization Capture Sequencing Methods

  Chi-Hwan Choi, Minji Lee, Sang Eun Lee, Hwachul Shin, Myung-Min Choi, Jin-Won Kim, Hwajung Yi, Yoon-Seok Chung

  Public Health Weekly Report 2024; 17(20): 859-873 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2024.17.20.3

  

  

  Abstract

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  Monkeypox virus (MPXV) whole-genome from specimens of individuals diagnosed with mpox in the Republic of Korea (ROK) between May 2022 and November 2023 was analyzed comprehensively. An infectious disease originating in Africa, mpox gained global significance after the first case was confirmed in the UK in May 2022, subsequently spreading worldwide. In the ROK, 155 infection cases were recorded, predominantly transmitted through close contact with symptomatic individuals. MPXV, consisting of approximately 197,000 base pairs of double-stranded DNA, encompasses approximately 191 genes consisting of inverted terminal repeats at both ends and a central conserved region. The virus is categorized as Clade I (Central African type) and Clade II (West African type), with Clade I and II reporting fatality rates of 1–10% and less than 1%, respectively. Two sequencing methods, metagenomic and hybridization capture sequencing, were used to perform a thorough whole-genome analysis. Compared to metagenomic sequencing, hybridization capture sequencing demonstrated superior efficiency in generating MPXV read sequences. The proportion of virus reads varied based on specimen type, informing the selection of targets for whole-genome analysis. Genomic phylogenetic analysis revealed that the MPXV in the ROK belonged to lineage C.1, indicating sustained domestic transmission and providing crucial insights for national and international responses to MPXV variants. This information will contribute to understanding infection pathways and improving strategies for disease response and prevention.

• QuickStats 2024-05-23

  0 79 40

  Trends in the Prevalence Gap of Current Smoking between Cities or Provinces, During 2014–2023

  Public Health Weekly Report 2024; 17(20): 874-875 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2024.17.20.4

  

  

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