PHWR Public Health Weekly Report

Vol.16 No.28, July 20, 2023 Article TypePublic Health IssuesQuickStatsSurveillance Reports

• Surveillance Reports 2023-07-20

  0 395 108

  A Joint Investigation by the Gyeongnam Regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention and Local Goverments for Healthcare-associated Carbapenem Resistance in Busan

  Ji-Joo Lee, Se-Hyuk Jang, Eun-Sol Lee, Kyoung-Hee Park, Hyun-Ju Lee, Young-Duck Eun, Jung-Min Lee, Pil-Yong Sakong, Kyeong-A Kim, Young-Ran Na, Yeonjung Kim

  Public Health Weekly Report 2023; 16(28): 911-930 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2023.16.28.1

  

  

  Abstract

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  There is an emerging concern about potential threats from antimicrobial drug abuse during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. The rapid rise in the carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) infection, one of the infectious diseases by antimicrobial drug-resistant microorganisms, has been observed since 2017 when full CRE case-reporting system was initiated in the Republic of Korea. Specially, Busan shows the highest CRE case numbers among non-metropolitan cities, which prompted the Gyeongnam Regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention to conduct a joint investigation with local government and institutions. The CRE isolates reported by 23 hospitals and 20 long-term care hospitals in Busan between June and December of 2022 were analyzed based on the reported case information. The environmental samples were also investigated to determine the facility infection control status. We found that the major CRE patient quarantine strategies (single-room vs. cohort) were different in the hospitals and long-term care hospitals. The study also evaluated the specific areas in facilities where the carbapenemase-producing microorganisms were found the most. These data are expected to be the basis of the infection control and prevention strategy development for the healthcare facilities in Busan. Furthermore this joint investigation is an example for a productive cooperation between the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency regional center and local government.

• Surveillance Reports 2023-07-20

  3 1399 274

  Characteristics of Notified Tuberculosis Cases — Republic of Korea, 2022

  Hyewon Lee, Jinsun Kim, Gwangja Park, Hoyong Choi*

  Public Health Weekly Report 2023; 16(28): 931-949 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2023.16.28.2

  

  

  Abstract

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  In 2022, the Republic of Korea saw a significant drop in new tuberculosis (TB) cases. Only 16,264 patients (31.7 individuals per 100,000 population) were diagnosed, representing an annual reduction of 7.8% since the highest recorded level in 2011, when 39,557 people were diagnosed with TB. The decline in new cases means that the number of patients in 2022 is less than half compared to 2011, representing a reduction of 58.9%. Among the patients diagnosed with TB in 2022, the elders accounted for 9,069 cases, equivalent to 100.6 persons per 100,000 population. The proportion of elderly patients has steadily increased yearly, reaching 55.8% in 2022. Among the new TB cases and beneficiaries of Health Insurance & Medical Aid, 16,087 individuals were diagnosed, with Medical Aid beneficiaries comprising 9.4% (1,512 people). Notably, the new TB notification rate among Medical Aid beneficiaries (99.7 persons per 100,000 population) was 3.5 times higher than among individuals covered by Health Insurance (28.3 persons per 100,000 population). In 2022, patients with multidrug/rifampicin-resistant TB accounted for 2.7% (560 people) of all TB cases (20,383). On March 24, 2023, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency announced the 3rd Comprehensive Plan for TB Management, covering 2023 to 2027. The plan aims to reduce the TB incidence rate to less than 20 individuals per 100,000 population by 2027. The plan focuses on strengthening TB prevention, diagnosis, and treatment and implementing relevant policies to achieve this aim.

• Surveillance Reports 2023-07-20

  1 762 125

  Results of the Tuberculosis Epidemiological Investigation In Congregated Settings, 2022

  Sunmi Han, Yongjoon Park, Jieun Kim, Hyeyoung Lee, Hoyong Choi*

  Public Health Weekly Report 2023; 16(28): 950-964 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2023.16.28.3

  

  

  Abstract

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  Tuberculosis (TB) is an airborne infectious disease spreading through the air, caused by bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis). Individuals can become infected when they come in close contact with people with TB. Therefore, the early identification of TB patients through the rapid epidemiological investigation and treatment of individuals with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) are considered the most effective strategies for TB control and prevention, when an active TB case is detected. The World Health Organization also recommends screening and treatment for LTBI, especially, prioritizing contacts of TB patients. The epidemiological investigation for TB cases is based on identifying contacts of TB patients in congregate settings and households and conducting diagnostic tests for TB/LTBI. In 2022, a total of 101 cases from the 22,297 household contacts (453.0/100,000 contacts) of patients with TB and a total of 89 cases from the 72,821 contacts in congregate setting (122.2/100,000 contacts) were identified early. Compared with the incidence of TB (16,264 cases; 31.7/100,000 population) in 2022 in the Republic of Korea, the risk of TB transmission is 14.3 times higher in household contacts and 3.9 times higher in congregate settings, suggesting that the comprehensive control measures are required. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency has established the “3rd Comprehensive Plan for Tuberculosis Management (2023–2027)” to reduce the incidence rate of TB to 20 or fewer cases per 100,000 people by 2027. The plan will continue to implement the screening and treatment programs for close contacts of patients with TB, especially those with household contacts and in congregate settings who are at high risk of TB infection.

• Public Health Issues 2023-07-20

  0 1863 420

  The 3rd World Drowning Prevention Day

  Jeongseon Lee, Jungeun Lee, Woncho Bae*

  Public Health Weekly Report 2023; 16(28): 965-970 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2023.16.28.4

  

  

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  The United Nations has designated July 25th as “World Drowning Prevention Day” to promote the importance of drowning prevention, and this year marks the third World Drowning Prevention Day. The World Health Organization selected this year’s campaign theme as “Do one thing. Improve one thing. Add one thing.” to encourage international action to prevent drowning.

• QuickStats 2023-07-20

  0 1084 213

  Trends in the Prevalence of Current Drinking among Korean Adolescents, 2012–2022

  Public Health Weekly Report 2023; 16(28): 971-972 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2023.16.28.5

  

  

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