PHWR Public Health Weekly Report

Vol.18 No.31, August 07, 2025 Article TypeQuickStatsSurveillance Reports

• Surveillance Reports 2025-08-07

  0 144 36

  Laboratory Surveillance of Water- and Foodborne Infectious Diseases Imported from Overseas in 2024

  Seong Jin Wang , Sa Hyun Hong , Gyu Sik Jang , Jin Ho Ha , Ka Ram Kang , Young Jee Kim , Ja Eun Kim , Soo Young Choo , Ho Yong Choi, Jang Hoon Choi

  Public Health Weekly Report 2025; 18(31): 1153-1167 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2025.18.31.1

  

  

  Abstract

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  Objectives: This study aimed to isolate and detect water- and foodborne pathogens imported by overseas travelers entering the country through Incheon International Airport in 2024, based on sex, age, and country. It further aimed to provide fundamental information on the epidemiology and risk factors of water- and foodborne diseases in the Republic of Korea to facilitate effective prevention and response strategies.
  Methods: The Capital Regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention participates in the Enteric Pathogens Active Surveillance Network, which is coordinated by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. From January to December 2024, specimens were collected from overseas travelers exhibiting symptoms of water- and foodborne diseases at the Incheon Airport National Quarantine Station, with their prior consent. Five genera of bacteria and five types of viruses causing water- and foodborne infectious diseases were isolated and detected from these specimens.
  Results: Among the 203 collected specimens, 91 (44.8%) pathogenic bacteria causing water- and foodborne diseases, and 28 (13.8%) pathogenic viruses were detected. Among these, the most prevalent pathogens were pathogenic Escherichia coli and norovirus associated with 47 (51.6%) and 25 cases (89.3%), respectively. The Philippines and Indonesia were the major sources of these imported pathogens. Moreover, the isolation and detection rates were the highest during the vacation season (January, February, July, and August).
  Conclusions: Education and public awareness campaigns on preventive measures against water- and foodborne infectious diseases should be strengthened for travelers to cholera quarantine areas such as the Philippines and Indonesia. In addition, continuous monitoring of the causative pathogens should be conducted through surveillance systems to prevent the importation of water- and foodborne infectious diseases.

• Surveillance Reports 2025-08-07

  0 253 45

  Surveillance of Tick Populations in the Republic of Korea in 2024

  Hyeon Seung Lee , Byung-Eon Noh , Jung-Won Ju , Hee-Il Lee

  Public Health Weekly Report 2025; 18(31): 1168-1183 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2025.18.31.2

  

  

  Abstract

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  Objectives: Hard ticks are major vectors carrying various pathogens in the Republic of Korea (ROK), including the severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) virus. Recent findings suggest ticks have the potential to carry multiple infectious agents. We assessed hard tick distribution to improve tick-borne disease risk assessment by providing up-to-date information regarding tick density and pathogen presence.
  Methods: From April to November 2024, ticks were collected monthly from 16 sites spanning four high-risk environments (mountain roads, graves, copses, and grasslands). Twelve traps (three per environment) baited with dry ice were placed at each site. Tick density was measured using the average number of ticks collected per trap for comparison with previous years.
  Results: In total, 71,924 hard ticks representing three genera and six species were collected. Haemaphysalis longicornis, the primary vector of SFTS, accounted for 97.3% of the identified ticks (excluding larvae). The overall hard tick index in 2024 was 46.8, with the highest levels observed in August and September and the lowest levels in October and November.
  Conclusions: The 2024 hard tick index was 46.8, representing a 30.0% increase over 2023 (36.0) and a 13.9% increase over the 2020 to 2022 average (41.1). The increase in the hard tick index is presumed to be due to the rise in average temperature and a sharp increase in tick density in certain regions. As the risk of vector-borne diseases increases due to climate change in ROK, it is essential to adhere to prevention guidelines to avoid infectious diseases.

• QuickStats 2025-08-07

  0 44 23

  Trends in the Perceived Health Status among Adults, 2014–2023

  Doyeon Kim

  Public Health Weekly Report 2025; 18(31): 1184-1185 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2025.18.31.3

  

  

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