PHWR Public Health Weekly Report

Vol.14 No.24, June 10, 2021 Article TypeEpidemiology and SurveillanceNoncommunicable Disease Statistics

• Epidemiology and Surveillance 2021-06-10

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  The infection status of intestinal parasites and the degree of infection risk of freshwater fish in 2020

  Shin Hee-Eun, Baek Seon-Ok, Lee Young-Ju, Ju Jung-Won, Lee Hee-Il

  Public Health Weekly Report 2021; 14(24): 1696-1706

  

  

  Abstract

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  According to the 8^th Nationwide Survey for Intestinal Parasites in 2012, the intestinal parasitic infection rate in Korea was 2.6% of the population. Fish-borne parasites, such as Clonorchis sinensis , remain a main source of intestinal parasitic infection. So far, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) has been promoting a project to decrease fish-borne parasitic infections, mainly in endemic areas. The aim of this article was to analyze the results of the infection status of intestinal parasites and the degree of infection risk for residents where freshwater fish, an intermediate host, are predominant. The focus was on areas with high foodborne parasite infections such as liver flukes. The project was carried out in 2020 and the methodology consisted of microscopic examination of 11 intestinal parasites through the cooperative system of KDCA-local government-KAHP (Korea Association of Health Promotion). The infection rates of intestinal parasites increased from 5.0% in 2019 to 5.9% in 2020. As for the type of parasite, the infection rate of Clonorchis sinensis was the highest at 3.8%, followed by heterophyids (1.7%), Trichuris trichiura (0.2%), and Gymnophalloides seoi (0.1%). Among the total survey areas, the infection rates of 3 new participating areas were 24.5%, 10.8%, and 7.9%, respectively; significantly exceeding the overall average infection rate of 3.8%. The metacercaria of C. sinensis were all detected in 11 survey areas, and the main infected fish species were Pungtungia herzi, Pseudorasbora parva, and Squalidus spp. In the endemic area of intestinal parasites, the infection rate of fish-borne trematodes such as C. sinensis and heterophydis were consistent. Therefore, this article recommended a series of steps to reduce the infection rate until the level of elimination is reached, and suggested that progress in the investigation areas be actively monitored.

• Epidemiology and Surveillance 2021-06-10

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  Community health status in Honam province based on the Korea Community Health Survey Data 2010-2019

  Kim Sun A, Kim Eun Ja, Yeonjung Kim

  Public Health Weekly Report 2021; 14(24): 1707-1721

  

  

  Abstract

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  It is generally accepted that noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes (T2DM), and cancer are attributable to behavioral risk factors, which are modifiable and dependent on the cultural background of communities. These factors prompted the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) to establish ‘Regional Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (RCDC)’ in five provinces in Korea to monitor community-based health issues and medical needs, in collaboration with provincial health-care experts, communities and local governments. In this study, we conducted preliminary analyses of Korea Community Health Survey (KCHS) data from 2010 to 2019, compared health statistics from the Honam region (Gwangju, Jeonnam, Jeonbuk provinces) with the national statistics. In addition, health index disparities between urban (‘dong’) and rural (‘eup’ or ‘myeon’) areas in Honam were compared. Results showed that Honam’s health indexes have improved during the last decade. The smoking rates have decreased and weight control efforts have improved as has an awareness and diagnosis of major NCDs. However, this study also found increasingly widening disparities between urban and rural in terms of physical activity (e.g., walking) and medical care access for T2DM complications. This study recommended that these disparities require attention and recommended further investigation into associating factors and causes. Honam RCDC will use these preliminary results as the basis for monitoring unmet health requirements and for establishing and evaluating Honam community healthcare plans.

• Epidemiology and Surveillance 2021-06-10

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  Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome close contacts testing between humans and companion animals: pilot project results

  Hwang Ji Hye, Lim Sl Ki, Lim Bo Hyeon, Park Sook Kyung, Choi Jun Gu, Kim Hyun Jeong, Kang Hae Eun

  Public Health Weekly Report 2021; 14(24): 1722-1730

  

  

  Abstract

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  Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS) is a zoonotic infectious disease that occurs, not only in humans, but in animals. Recently, transmission of SFTS from companion animals to humans was reported in Japan, that is growing concern among health officials in Korea. The Korea Disease Control and the Prevention Agency (KDCA) and the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA) launched a joint pilot project aiming at monitoring and diagnosis to early detection SFTS cases for SFTS humans and companion animals case’s close contacts. Among the companion animals who visited veterinary hospitals from July to December 31, 2020, 107 points of serum or tick samples were collected from animals that have been bitten by ticks or have symptoms of SFTS. SFTS was confirmed in two of them, but none of the guardians and veterinary hospital workers in close contacts had symptoms. 11 samples were collected from five companion animals of SFTS patients, of which two were confirmed positive.
  In addition, one strain of animal-derived Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus (SFTSV) was isolated from the serum of one SFTS-positive companion animal. As a result of sequencing analysis of the virus, it showed high homology with human-derived viruses (more than 99.7%). So it could be estimated that companion animals and humans share a common infectious agent.
  This project could not identified a link between companion animal and human infections due to restrictions on the region and project scale. However, it was significant in establishing a joint response system with relevant organizations and in confirming the need for preventive management for veterinary hospital workers.

• Noncommunicable Disease Statistics 2021-06-10

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  Trends in rate of Korean people with limitations in activities of daily living, 2007-2019

  Public Health Weekly Report 2021; 14(24): 1731-1732

  

  

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