PHWR Public Health Weekly Report

Vol.17 No.4, January 25, 2024 Article TypePolicy NotesQuickStatsReview & PerspectiveSurveillance Reports

• Surveillance Reports 2024-01-25

  9 856 133

  Characteristics of Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) in the Republic of Korea, 2022

  Jihyeon Lim, Juyoung Sim, Hyunju Lee, Jeonghui Hyun, Seungjae Lee, Sookkyung Park

  Public Health Weekly Report 2024; 17(4): 115-127 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2024.17.4.1

  Abstract

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  Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) are species of bacteria in the family Enterobacteriaceae that are resistant to at least one of the carbapenem antibiotics. In 2019, World Health Organization declared antimicrobial resistance as “one of the top ten global public health threats facing humanity,” and with the continually increasing use of antibiotics worldwide, there is a correspondingly growing threat of resistance development among bacteria, thus necessitating more stringent surveillance and management. This report analyzed the 2022 domestic outbreak status of CRE infections with respect to patient age, type of medical institution, carbapenemase genes, and carbapenemase genotype. In 2022, 30,548 cases of CRE infections were reported in 1,257 medical institutions, and the number has been increasing every year since 2017, when the mandatory surveillance system was initiated, increasing by 155.5% compared to 2018 (11,954 cases). The mechanisms of carbapenem antibiotic resistance in CRE infections include carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CP-CRE) and Enterobacteriaceae species that are resistant to carbapenem antibiotics without producing carbapenemase (non-CP-CRE). Of the 30,548 reported cases of CRE infection, 71.0% (21,695 cases) were CPE infections, showing a 46.9% increase compared to 2 021 (14,769 cases). The annual increase in CRE infections is becoming an increasingly concerning social burden, thus emphasizing the need for continuous prevention and management, along with the establishment of a surveillance system for identifying the epidemiological characteristics. The government plans to continue efforts with local governments and medical institutions to prevent the spread of CRE infections, including strengthened CRE management measures in the 2nd Comprehensive Measures for Prevention and Management of Healthcare-Related Infections (2023–2027). In addition, it will strengthen the cooperative management system between medical institutions and the government and continue to implement various management methods such as infection control education.

• Review & Perspective 2024-01-25

  0 84 105

  Analyzing the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic Response Governance and Policy (January 2020–December 2021)

  Mi Jeong Park

  Public Health Weekly Report 2024; 17(4): 128-148 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2024.17.4.2

  

  

  Abstract

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  The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 virus caused the the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which was a first for the twenty-first century and an infectious disease that spotlighted the importance of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency to public health. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency promptly implemented testing, treatment, and social distancing measures. Only a thorough analysis can evaluate the efficacy of the agency’s COVID-19 response policies. It would be challenging to characterize the lessons and preventative actions learned from the findings as accurate insights. This paper analyzes the COVID-19 pandemic response strategy and governance from January 2020 to December 2021 by placing actions taken within the conceptual framework of infectious disease management policy. This strategy establishes a valuable policy evaluation framework that can integrate limitations of policy decisions in response to pandemic infectious diseases with imbalancing ripple effects. Infectious disease control countermeasures provoke an unexpected secondary outcome, like reduced economic growth or social isolation. It is very difficult to balance these negative consequences with the effectiveness of preventing infectious diseases. In other words, infectious disease prevention strategies can be specific obligations in specific contexts that are derived from ex post accountability. Therefore, infectious disease response policy assessment requires a step-by-step framework to evaluate potential negative impacts, and it is important to set parameters in advance to resolve competing interests arising in particular contexts.

• Policy Notes 2024-01-25

  0 94 87

  Results of the Waterborne and Foodborne Disease Surveillance during the Summer in 2023

  Sungchan Yang, So Yeon Park, Seon Kyeong Park, Jisu Won, Hyungjun Kim, Jin Seon Yang

  Public Health Weekly Report 2024; 17(4): 149-164 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2024.17.4.3

  

  

  Abstract

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  Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency operates an “ Surveillance in emergencies in summer season” to prevent waterborne and foodborne disease (WFD) when temperatures are expected to increase in the summer. The surveillance was conducted from May 1 to September 30 every year, and is based on reports of municipal, provincial, city and district health centers nationwide to respond to mass outbreaks quickly. During the operation period in this year, a total of 249 WFD outbreaks were reported. The greatest number of cases occurred in August with 54 (21.7%) outbreaks, followed by 52 (20.9%) in July, 50 (20.1%) in September, 47 (18.9%) in June and 46 (18.5%) in May. Followed by region, the mostly outbreaks occurred in Gyeonggi-do 47 cases, Busan 28 cases, Seoul 23 cases, respectively. By the location, outbreaks occurred most in the restaurants 118 cases (47.4%), followed by nursery and school facilities including kindergartens 60 cases (24.1%) and office 15 cases (6.0%). In this year, “Surveillance in emergencies in summer season” operating period was extended 2 weeks (10. 1.–10. 14.) due to the long holiday period, during which an additional 20 cases were reported. The number of large-scale outbreaks increased due to an increase in outdoor activities and events after coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. In order to prevent a large-scale outbreak of WFD, continues maintenance and improvement of the surveillance system is required.

• QuickStats 2024-01-25

  2 69 96

  Trends in the Proportion of Consuming more than 500 g of Vegetables and Fruits per Day, 2013–2022

  Public Health Weekly Report 2024; 17(4): 165-166 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2024.17.4.4

  

  

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