PHWR Public Health Weekly Report

Vol.17 No.23, June 13, 2024 Article TypeNotes from the FieldPolicy NotesQuickStats

• Notes from the Field 2024-06-13

  0 61 22

  Three Suspected Cases of Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome in the Republic of Korea, 2000–2024.3

  Jia Kim, Chungmin Park, Gyehee Lee, Jeongok Cha, Tae Jong Son, Jin Seon Yang

  Public Health Weekly Report 2024; 17(23): 991-1003 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2024.17.23.1

  

  

  Abstract

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  Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) is a serious disease caused by invasive group A Streptococcus (GAS) infection. Since the end of 2022, the incidence of scarlet fever and invasive group A Streptococcus (iGAS) has increased in Europe, the USA, and Canada. In March 2024, Japan reported 941 cases of STSS in 2023, which is the highest number of cases since the start of surveillance in 1999. In the Republic of Korea (ROK), scarlet fever, which can be caused by GAS infection, has been designated and managed as a second-class, legally communicable disease. In addition, using the Acute Respiratory Infection Network (AriNet) for sample medical institutions, we have been investigating the status of the epidemic and the characteristics of GAS. The number of scarlet fever cases in the ROK in 2023 was 810, which is a slight increase in numbers from during to after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic but low compared with the numbers before the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, no increase in GAS numbers was observed using AriNet. Three of the reported cases of scarlet fever since 2000 were suspected STSS cases. In all three cases, rapid hypotension and clinical symptoms, such as renal dysfunction, blood coagulation disorder, and multiple organ failure, were confirmed. Culture tests confirmed GAS. In the third suspected case of STSS, coinfections with influenza and GAS were identified. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency will continue to monitor changes in the incidence of streptococcal infections in the ROK by comprehensively strengthening monitoring by establishing an iGAS monitoring system.

• Policy Notes 2024-06-13

  0 232 13

  Establishment and Operation of the Pre-questionnaire Systems for Quarantine Information (Q-CODE)

  Cheong-Su Kim, Seung-Hyuk Kim, Jae-Kyee Shin

  Public Health Weekly Report 2024; 17(23): 1004-1016 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2024.17.23.2

  

  

  Abstract

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  The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency conducts quarantine inspections of individuals entering the Republic of Korea (ROK) who have visited quarantine inspection areas or strict quarantine inspection areas—designated by quarantine law Article 12-2 duty to report and measures, etc. Inspections are viewed as necessary for addressing the risk of infectious diseases occurring overseas and preventing their domestic influx. Upon arrival, an individual is required to submit a health declaration form with their name, passport number, address in the ROK, contact information, and symptoms (if any) for the quarantine inspection. To prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2 019 (COVID-19) outbreaks, beginning July 1, 2020, the entire world was designated as a quarantine inspection areas As a result, all individuals entering the ROK are required to submit certain documents, such as a health declaration form, travel record declaration, certificate of immunization, COVID-19 medical certification, and quarantine exemption application, to quarantine officials. As the number of individuals subjected to quarantine has increased, the waiting time for a quarantine inspection upon entry has also increased. To efficiently address the confusion among incoming travelers due to the complex quarantine procedures, the pre-questionnaire systems for quarantine information (hereafter, Q-CODE) has been introduced.

• QuickStats 2024-06-13

  0 38 15

  Occurrence of Drowning Accident

  Public Health Weekly Report 2024; 17(23): 1017-1020 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2024.17.23.3

  

  

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