PHWR Public Health Weekly Report

Vol.18 No.39, October 02, 2025 Article TypePolicy NoteQuickStatsSurveillance Report

• Surveillance Report 2025-10-02

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  Tuberculosis Contact Investigations among Household and Congregate Settings in 2024

  Sunmi Han , Jiae Shim , Seongju Choi , Jieun Kim , Seungeun Lee

  Public Health Weekly Report 2025; 18(39): 1433-1449 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2025.18.39.1

  

  

  Abstract

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  Objectives: For effective tuberculosis (TB) control, early detection of active TB and treatment of latent TB infection (LTBI), especially among contacts of infected patients, are essential. This study aimed to analyze the 2024 contact investigation results to provide foundational data for TB elimination strategies.
  Methods: This study analyzed household contact data from the Tuberculosis Investigation Form and congregate setting data from the Tuberculosis Notification Reporting Form registered in the National Tuberculosis Integrated Information System in 2024. The analysis included contacts, secondary TB cases, and LTBI. The distributions were examined by year, age, and the type of congregate facility.
  Results: In 2024, a total of 105,989 contacts were investigated in 16,220 households and 3,470 congregate facilities, resulting in the early detection of 250 additional TB cases (235.9/10⁵ contacts). The highest TB incidence rate was observed in contacts aged 70 years and older (316.0/10⁵ contacts). LTBI was diagnosed in 17,537 individuals (29.5%). The highest LTBI rate was also in contacts aged 70 and above (41.9%). Among those with LTBI, treatment was initiated in 7,385 individuals (45.4%), with treatment initiation rates decreasing with age.
  Conclusions: The 2024 contact investigation confirmed that older contacts showed higher rates of TB incidence and LTBI but a lower treatment initiation rate. These trends were also observed in 2023. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency promotes screening and treatment for high-risk groups, with LTBI treatment guided by risk-benefit assessments, strengthened education, and public awareness.

• Policy Note 2025-10-02

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  Results of the 2024 Amendment to the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act

  Seong Lim Jin , Yu Ri Kim , Jin Ha

  Public Health Weekly Report 2025; 18(39): 1450-1459 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2025.18.39.2

  Abstract

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  Objectives: This report analyzed the key amendments to the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act of 2024, comprehensively examined their implications and anticipated effects on public health policy, and proposed future directions for legal revisions.
  Methods: Focusing on official amendment notices from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, revised legal provisions were thoroughly summarized, and policy implications were identified.
  Results: Recent amendments aimed to enhance the effectiveness of the infectious disease response system by expanding the authority of local governments, broadening the recipients of vaccination pre-notifications, strengthening personal data protection, establishing a legal basis for a National Advanced Vaccine Development Center, and easing reporting requirements for the disinfection industry.
  Conclusions: The 2024 amendment to the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act is evaluated as having laid a more structured and effective foundation for responding to public health emergencies. These revisions are significant for enhancing regionally tailored governance, strengthening prevention-centered health management, improving personal data protection, and supporting the public health industry, including advanced vaccine development.

• QuickStats 2025-10-02

  0 176 29

  Trends in the Prevalence Gap of High-risk Drinking between Cities or Provinces during 2015–2024

  Yoon-sil Ko

  Public Health Weekly Report 2025; 18(39): 1460-1461 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2025.18.39.3

  

  

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