PHWR Public Health Weekly Report

Vol.17 No.36, September 12, 2024 Article TypePolicy NotesSurveillance Reports

• Surveillance Reports 2024-09-12

  2 164 35

  Results of the Tuberculosis Contact Investigation, 2023

  Jiae Shim, Sunmi Han, Jieun Kim, Seongju Choi, Boyeong Choi, Hye Young Lee, Jiyeon Lee, Yongjoon Park, Young-Joon Park

  Public Health Weekly Report 2024; 17(36): 1519-1533 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2024.17.36.1

  

  

  Abstract

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  Tuberculosis ( TB) is an airborne infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis , which is spread by infected patients. Upon infection, some individuals develop active TB, whereas others remain in a state of latent TB infection (LTBI), in which the bacterium resides without symptoms or transmission, potentially progressing to active TB. The prompt diagnosis and treatment of LTBI are crucial for effective TB management. When TB cases occur, rapid epidemiological investigations are conducted to identify contacts in households and congregate facilities, followed by testing for TB and LTBI. In 2023, 107,804 contacts were investigated across 17,663 households and 3,620 facilities, and 200 additional TB cases (185.5 per 100,000 contacts) were detected. Among household contacts, 99 additional TB cases (460.4 per 100,000 contacts) were detected, 3.9 times higher than the 101 cases (117.0 per 100,000 contacts) among congregate facility contacts and 15.0 times higher than the incidence in the general population (30.6 per 100,000 population). The LTBI rate was 26.1% (14,207) and was similar between household and facility contacts. increased with age, however, treatment initiation rates were low in older age groups. Targeting high-risk contacts for TB and LTBI testing and treatment aims to reduce TB incidence to ≤20 cases per 100,000 by 2027. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency continues to promote screening and treatment among these contacts, emphasizing safety and individualized benefits, even in older age groups.

• Policy Notes 2024-09-12

  0 242 32

  The Mid- and Long-term Plan for Climate Health (2024–2028) in Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency

  Daeshik An, Younjhin Ahn, Eunji Jung, Jinhee Oh

  Public Health Weekly Report 2024; 17(36): 1534-1547 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2024.17.36.2

  

  

  Abstract

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  The Mid- and Long-term Plan for Climate Health is a basic plan established by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) to minimize public health damage and enhance climate resilience through efficient disease surveillance and preparation for and response to the climate crisis, recognizing that climate change is among the biggest threats to future health. The Mid- and Long-term Plan for Climate Health, which outlines the implementation plan for the following five years (2024–2028), envisions “enhancing national climate health resilience through leading climate crisis preparedness and response.” It has two main objectives; “strengthening the proactive climate crisis preparedness and response system through disease surveillance” and “ building a climate crisis adaptation infrastructure through public-private and global cooperation.” Strategies to achieve these include strengthening the climate-disease alert function through proactive monitoring of climate crises, protecting public health by reinforcing the preparedness and response system for climate crises, enhancing public-private cooperation and global networking for climate crises response, and establishing a scientific infrastructure for climate health adaptation. Based on these strategies, the KDCA will comprehensively and systematically promote climate health initiatives.

• Policy Notes 2024-09-12

  0 85 12

  Introduction of Training Programs for Healthcare Workers on Emerging and Bioterrorism-related Infectious Diseases by Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, 2022–2023

  Hyojin Hur, Younga Oh, Yunjeong Kim, Eun-Mi Park, Hee-Sook Kim, Sang Hyuk Lee, Bryan Inho Kim, Sang-Gu Yeo

  Public Health Weekly Report 2024; 17(36): 1548-1562 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2024.17.36.3

  

  

  Abstract

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  Since 2015, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency has entrusted the National Medical Center with a training project for specialized personnel to respond to emerging and bioterrorism-related infectious diseases. This project includes theoretical and practical training, such as basic training on infectious disease response and the donning and doffing of personal protective equipment for medical institution workers and first responders. The project aims to strengthen the capacity of healthcare workers to respond to emerging and bioterrorism-related infectious diseases. Through this training, trainees will be equipped to respond effectively to such diseases and take the lead in establishing response strategies.