PHWR Public Health Weekly Report

Vol.17 No.41, October 24, 2024 Article TypeErratumPolicy NotesQuickStatsSurveillance Reports

• Surveillance Reports 2024-10-24

  0 111 52

  Diagnosis Testing and Variant Analysis of Coronavirus Disease 19 Imported from Abroad Conducted by the Capital Regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention in 2023

  Eun-Jung Lee, Sahyun Hong, Sangmi Park, Young Jee Kim, Jihye Han, Hanseul Jang, Karam Kang, Kyu-Sik Chang, Il-Hwan Kim, Jin Sun No, Chae young Lee, Eun-Jin Kim, Hyuk Chu, Jeong-Gu Nam

  Public Health Weekly Report 2024; 17(41): 1703-1719 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2024.17.41.1

  

  

  Abstract

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  From January to December 2023, the Division of Laboratory Diagnosis and Analysis at the Capital Regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention conducted coronavirus disease 2 019 (COVID-19) diagnostic testing on 5,027 respiratory specimens requested by quarantine stations within the center. Individuals with respiratory symptoms who were subjected to the tests had travelled from 83 countries, 87.7% of whom were Koreans. The positive rate for COVID-19 was 31.3% (1,573 cases), with Taiwan having the highest infection rate (47.7%) and Indonesia the lowest (18.5%) among the top 20 countries of departure. During this period, the analysis rate for COVID-19 variants, including 530 positive specimens collected at private diagnostic testing centers at Incheon International Airport, was 95.0% (1,998 out of 2,103 cases). At the beginning of the year, there was a notable influx of the omicron subvariants BA.2.75 and BA.5. Subsequently, the continued introduction of the recombinant XBB series resulted in a variety of subvariants entering the country. After COVID-19 was downgraded to a class 4 infectious disease in August 2023, there was a sharp decline in the collection of specimens from symptomatic respiratory patients, necessitating research into new methods for monitoring pathogens from abroad. To prepare for a possible resurgence of new pathogens, efforts are needed to collect specimens from symptomatic individuals with respiratory and other diseases at primary gateways of the country, such as airports and ports.

• Surveillance Reports 2024-10-24

  1 55 22

  Long Term Follow Up of HIV Patients: Insight and Achievement from a 17 Years ‘Korea HIV/AIDS Cohort Study’ (2006–2023)

  Sangmi Ryou, JeongGyu Lee, Oeuk Jeong, Min Jin Go, Jungyeon Kim*

  Public Health Weekly Report 2024; 17(41): 1720-1736 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2024.17.41.2

  Abstract

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  The “Korea HIV/AIDS Cohort Study” was initiated in 2006 to determine the factors affecting the progression of infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), onset of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), and resulting death and to ensure continuous efforts to improve the quality of life of the people infected with HIV. This cohort study was a large-scale multi-institution (16 medical institutions nationwide) cohort study in which approximately 10% of people living with HIV (PLWH) in the country participated, with the total number of study participants and the retention rate being 2,177 and 65.6%, respectively. The total numbers of case report forms (CRFs) and human resources (serum and plasma samples) collected were 22,349 and 15,765, respectively (as of October 10, 2023). Cohort statistics were continuously analyzed to understand the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of PLWH in the Republic of Korea (ROK). Over the past 17 years, research based on the Korean HIV/AIDS cohort study has led to the establishment of a robust operating system for cohort-based research, standardized research methods, and survey tools (such as CRFs) and the development of methods for standardizing and purifying data collected from multicenter cohorts. Systematic data management using this approach can provide a scientific basis for national HIV/AIDS prevention and disease management policies. ROK has established the 2 nd Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Prevention and Control Plan (2024–2028) with the vision of “zero new infections, zero deaths, and zero discrimination.” The plan aims to reduce the number of new infections by 50% by 2030 compared with that in 2023, and various measures are being implemented to achieve this goal.

• Surveillance Reports 2024-10-24

  2 1855 79

  HIV/AIDS Notifications in Korea, 2023

  Koun Kim, Sungnam Kim, Taeyoung Kim, Jeonghee Yu*

  Public Health Weekly Report 2024; 17(41): 1737-1749 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2024.17.41.3

  Abstract

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  This report is the result of the analysis of data on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive cases reported in the year 2023. In 2023, 1,005 new cases of HIV infection were reported in the Republic of Korea. Of these, 749 people (74.5%) were Koreans and 256 (25.5%) were foreigners. Men accounted for 903 (89.9 %) of the total cases. By age group, those in their 30s accounted for 35.4% (356 people); those in their 20s, for 28.7% (288 people); and those in their 40s, 15.7% (158 people). Thus, people in their 20s and 30s accounted for 64.1% of the total. The reporting agencies included hospitals (637 cases, 63.4%) and public health centers (284 cases, 28.3%). The most common reason for HIV testing was voluntary testing, with 32.1% (228 people) and 99.6% (564 people) responding that their infection occurred through sexual contact. The number of new cases of HIV infection in 2023 increased by 5.7% (61 cases) compared to that in 2022. The number of Koreans infected decreased by 9.2% (76 cases), whereas the number of foreigners infected increased by 6.2% (15 cases). The number of foreigners infected is increasing annually, and identifying and continuously managing their epidemiological characteristics is essential. In March, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency established “The 2nd National Action Plan on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control (2024–2028)” and will actively pursue the goal of reducing new infections by 50% by 2030 compared to the rate in 2023.

• Policy Notes 2024-10-24

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  Establishment of a Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccine Distribution and Supply System

  Joo Ae Kim, Yunju Kim, Jangwoo Sohn, Joonku Park*

  Public Health Weekly Report 2024; 17(41): 1750-1763 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2024.17.41.4

  

  

  Abstract

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  This manuscript addresses the stable distribution and supply of coronavirus disease 2 019 (COVID-19) vaccines in the Republic of Korea. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency swiftly established and operated a storage and distribution system to prepare for nationwide vaccinations. An integrated control center was established to monitor the cold chain and provide ultra-low temperature freezers and digital thermometers to local governments to maintain the cold chain and ensure safe vaccine administration. This article provides a detailed account of the distribution process and explains the stability of temperature management and system usage. Furthermore, the discussion addresses the efforts made at the inter-ministerial level and strengthened cooperation between central government agencies and local governments to ensure a smooth supply of COVID-19 vaccines to the entire population. Given the urgent situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, including the challenging storage and transportation conditions, the efficient and safe distribution of vaccines emerged as a critical issue. Discussions on the establishment and operational strategies of COVID-19 vaccine distribution systems are necessary to prepare for future large-scale infectious disease outbreaks. An effective vaccine distribution and management system is a key element in responding to the various challenges and enhancing public health safety, which was the focus of this study.

• Erratum 2024-10-24

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  Erratum : Volume 17. No 35.

  Public Health Weekly Report 2024; 17(41): 1764-1764 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2024.17.41.5

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• QuickStats 2024-10-24

  0 29 13

  Trends in the Prevalence Gap of the Early Recognition of Symptoms of Stroke Between Cities or Provinces, During 2014–2023

  Public Health Weekly Report 2024; 17(41): 1765-1766 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2024.17.41.6

  

  

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