PHWR Public Health Weekly Report

Vol.18 No.29, July 24, 2025 Article TypeOriginal ArticleSurveillance Report

• Surveillance Report 2025-07-24

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  Malaria Vector Surveillance in 2024

  Bo Gyeong Han , Hyun Woo Kim , Jung-Won Ju , Hee-Il Lee

  Public Health Weekly Report 2025; 18(29): 1069-1082 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2025.18.29.1

  

  

  Abstract

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  Objectives: Effective malaria control requires early diagnosis, treatment, and vector mosquito management. In 2024, 94.1% of domestic malaria cases were reported in Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi, and Gangwon Provinces in the Republic of Korea. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency annually surveys the mosquito density to provide vector information in malaria-risk areas.
  Methods:In 2024, 76 sites, including the expanded malaria-risk areas, were surveyed from April to October. The collected mosquitoes were identified to species, and density was calculated as the trap index (TI), defined as the number of mosquitoes per trap per night. Anopheles mosquitoes were tested for infection of Plasmodium vivax by molecular method. The minimum infection rate (MIR) was calculated as (number of positive pools/number of tested mosquitoes)×1,000.
  Results: Cumulative TI reached 120.6 in 2024, showing a 66.6% increase than 2023 and a 59.3% increase from the 2020–2022 average. The first peak (TI 18.2) was observed at week 27. After a temporary drop in the rainy season, mosquito population was increased, followed by a rise in malaria cases after 5–6 weeks. Malaria-positive mosquitoes were detected in three pools (MIR=0.15) at 31st, 32nd, and 34th weeks in Paju-si. Although the number of positive pools is the same as in 2023 (MIR=0.21), MIR decreased due to increasing of Anopheles density.
  Conclusions: Vector surveillance is a core strategy for malaria elimination. To reduce incidence in endemic regions, it is essential to respond promptly to advisory/warning issued based on continuous monitoring, and implement vector control measures.

• Surveillance Report 2025-07-24

  0 214 124

  Notification Status and Characteristics of Foreign Tuberculosis Cases in the Gyeongnam Region during 2017–2023

  Jeongmin Park , Eunjung Lee , Hyejeong Ahn , Jinseon Yang , Sangeun Lee *

  Public Health Weekly Report 2025; 18(29): 1083-1102 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2025.18.29.2

  

  

  Abstract

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  Objectives: This study aimed to examine the foreign tuberculosis (TB) cases in the Gyeongnam region (Busan metropolitan city, Ulsan metropolitan city, Gyeongsangnam-do; Busan, Ulsan, Gyeongnam) following the 2016 TB control policy implementation to improve TB management among foreign populations.
  Methods: Between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2023, 941 foreign TB cases were recorded in the Gyeongnam region.
  Results: In the Gyeongnam region, foreign TB notifications initially dropped from 180 in 2017 but later increased by 30 (35.3%) in 2023. Notably, Ulsan exhibited the highest foreign TB proportion (4.5%), followed by Gyeongnam (4.3%) and Busan (1.9%). Of the 941 patients, 85.9% were aged 20–50 years and 97.9% (921) were from high‑TB‑burden countries. In 2023, multidrug-resistant/rifampicin-resistant TB incidence rate was approximately 3.2-times higher among foreigners (8.7%) than among Koreans. Over seven years, treatment interruption rate among foreign patients with TB in the Gyeongnam region (18.8%) was approximately 8.5-times higher than the national average (2.2%). Among the 392 cases recorded in congregate settings, 81.6% occurred in workplaces and 13.3% in schools.
  Conclusions: The number of foreign TB cases in the Gyeongnam region declined following the implementation of the 2016 foreign TB control policy, with only a slight increase observed in 2023. Notably, most foreign cases were from high-TB-burden countries, underscoring the need for targeted TB management.

• Original Article 2025-07-24

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  Short-term Effect Evaluation of the Chronic Disease Control and Community Health Survey Field Management Training Program and Analysis of Individual Projects in Gangwon State

  Jin-Young Jeong

  Public Health Weekly Report 2025; 18(29): 1103-1122 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2025.18.29.3

  

  

  Abstract

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  Objectives: This study analyzed topics and methods of individual projects carried out in Gangwon state as part of the Chronic Disease Field Management Training Program and assessed changes in participants’ levels of knowledge, attitudes, and practical skills pre- and post-training.
  Methods: Individual projects were classified by research purpose, public health program area, participant characteristics, and research methods, and the results were presented as frequencies and percentages. Paired t-tests were conducted to compare knowledge, attitudes, and practical skills pre- and post-training.
  Results: The analysis of 51 projects revealed that roughly 70% (36 projects) were intervention studies. Of these studies, 60% did not include a control group, which is a limitation because of the lack of a comparison group. Cardio-cerebrovascular disease prevention/management and physical activity accounted for 50% of the projects. The average number of participants per project was 88 and the dependent variables were collected primarily through questionnaires (58.8%) and measurements (37.3%). The training was effective in improving knowledge, attitudes, and practical skills. Notably, knowledge and practical skills showed significant improvement compared with their pre-training levels.
  Conclusions: This is the first study to conduct a detailed analysis of trainees’ project topics and methodologies. The study findings provide insights into the interests and gaps of public health professionals in the field. The findings can serve as a reference for refining future training content and project guidance.