PHWR Public Health Weekly Report

Vol.18 No.41, October 23, 2025 Article TypePolicy NotesQuickStatsRecommendation ReportsSurveillance Reports

• Surveillance Reports 2025-10-23

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  Analysis of Pertussis Cases in the Seoul Metropolitan Area in 2024

  Eunsol Lee , Beomkeun Park , Yujin Kim , Sungnam Kim , Kyungwon Hwang

  Public Health Weekly Report 2025; 18(41): 1495-1509 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2025.18.41.1

  

  

  Abstract

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  Objectives: Pertussis is a globally endemic infectious disease, with recent resurgences reported even in countries with high vaccination coverage. This study aimed to analyze the epidemiological characteristics of pertussis cases in the Capital Region of Republic of Korea in 2024 and provide foundational data for future disease control strategies.
  Methods: We conducted a descriptive analysis of confirmed pertussis cases reported to the Infectious Disease Information System between January 1 and December 31, 2024. The variables analyzed included demographic characteristics, monthly and regional incidence, clinical symptoms, vaccination status, and outbreak distribution by location and region.
  Results: In 2024, a total of 26,239 pertussis cases were reported cases in the Capital Region of Republic of Korea, representing a significant increase from the previous year. Most cases occurred in children and adolescents, with a notable surge starting in May and peaking during the summer. Respiratory symptoms were observed in 99.1% of the cases; of these, 23.5% had paroxysmal cough and 76.4% had mild or atypical cough. A total of 1,556 outbreaks involving 9,657 related cases were identified, with 98.8% linked to school settings.
  Conclusions: The recent increase in pertussis cases in the capital region appears to be driven by a combination of factors, including transmission among children and adolescents and school-based outbreaks. Considering the 2024 domestic trends and international developments, a systematic revision of national pertussis prevention and response strategies is urgently needed.

• Surveillance Reports 2025-10-23

  0 369 22

  Geographic Disparities in Chronic Disease Indicators in the Chungcheong Region: Analysis Based on the 2024 Korea Community Health Survey

  Jun Hyeong Jang , Yeon Hwa Choi

  Public Health Weekly Report 2025; 18(41): 1510-1538 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2025.18.41.2

  

  

  Abstract

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  Objectives: This study examined the status of health behaviors and chronic disease management indicators in the Chungcheong region using the 2024 Korea Community Health Survey. It focused on identifying regional disparities to tailor public health strategies.
  Methods: Data from 36 municipalities in Daejeon, Sejong, Chungcheongbuk-do, and Chungcheongnam-do were analyzed. Eighteen core indicators, including smoking, alcohol use, physical activity, mental health, chronic disease status, and awareness, were age and sex standardized. Regional disparities were measured using inter-municipal differences.
  Results: Among the 18 indicators, 11 improved and 7 worsened compared to the previous year. Positive changes included declines in smoking and high-risk drinking and increases in physical activity and mental health indicators. Diabetes-related indicators, including blood glucose awareness and treatment adherence also improved. However, self-reported obesity has increased, weight control efforts have declined, and awareness of blood pressure and early cardiovascular symptoms has decreased. Notably, the recognition of myocardial infarction symptoms showed a 21.5 percentage point gap between the municipalities, indicating pronounced regional inequality.
  Conclusions: Although the Chungcheong region showed favorable trends in several behavioral and clinical health indicators, meaningful disparities persist in chronic disease awareness and management. These findings underscore the need for localized health interventions and sustained efforts to close addressable gaps in cardiovascular health literacy and care.

• Policy Notes 2025-10-23

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  Regional Healthcare-associated Infection Network Implementation Report, 2025

  Namyi Kim , Areum Kim , Su-Yeon Lee , Sook-Kyung Park

  Public Health Weekly Report 2025; 18(41): 1539-1551 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2025.18.41.3

  

  

  Abstract

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  Objectives: Effective prevention and management of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are essential to ensure patient safety, reduce medical costs, and improve public health. When infection control systems are insufficient, transmission risks within and between healthcare facilities increase, leading to increased morbidity and mortality, placing strain on the healthcare system. The emergence of multidrug-resistant organisms (e.g., Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales), frequent patient transfers, and differences between healthcare facilities in infection control capacity and staffing levels have accelerated disease transmission and community spread. Healthcare facilities with limited resources often struggle to respond promptly and effectively to outbreaks, increasing their vulnerability to cluster infections. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency launched its “Healthcare-Associated Infectious Disease Prevention and Management Project” in 2017 to support these institutions.
  Methods: As of 2025, a network of 24 regional healthcare institutions across 17 cities and provinces is providing technical support for infection control. Strong institutions are designated regional hub hospitals, and participating hospitals are recommended by local governments. Coordination meetings, risk assessments, technical consultations, and information sharing have been established to improve infection control standards.
  Results: This program provides structured support for infection prevention, control, and outbreak response efforts, strengthening vulnerable institutions and building foundational collaborations to prevent HAI spread.
  Conclusions: This inter-institutional network enhances regional infectious disease response capacity through collaboration and communication. With continued operation and expansion, it is expected to serve as an effective mechanism for HAI prevention and be a key pillar in patient safety and public health infrastructure.

• Recommendation Reports 2025-10-23

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  Recommendations of the Korea Expert Committee on Immunization Practices for Pneumococcal Vaccination in Children

  So-Yeon Kim , Juyoung Sim , In-yeong Seo , Hanseul Ko , Hyungmin Lee , Hee Jin Cheong , Joon Young Song

  Public Health Weekly Report 2025; 18(41): 1552-1574 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2025.18.41.4

  

  

  Abstract

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  Objectives: The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) identified an increasing prevalence of pneumococcal serotypes not covered by vaccines that are currently used for pediatric invasive pneumococcal disease. In response, the KDCA decided to introduce a 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV20), which offers broader serotype coverage.
  Methods: The Pneumococcal/Meningococcal Subcommittee and the Korea Expert Committee on Immunization Practices (KECIP) reviewed the appropriateness of introducing PCV20, focusing on disease characteristics, vaccine properties, cost-effectiveness, and vaccine acceptability. Detailed implementation guidelines were also discussed.
  Results: PCV20 provided broader serotype coverage than existing vaccines and demonstrated non-inferior immunogenicity for shared serotypes and superior immunogenicity for additional serotypes. Safety has been confirmed through regulatory approval and existing data. As no additional costs were anticipated, the vaccine was considered cost effective. Based on domestic and international experiences, high vaccine acceptability is expected. In healthy children and adolescents, the principle is to complete the vaccination series using the same vaccine administered at initiation. However, for patients who started with PCV13, switching to PCV15 or PCV20 is permitted. PCV20 will also be used as a booster vaccination in high-risk children, with vaccine support for high-risk groups expanding to 18 years of age.
  Conclusions: The KECIP made a timely decision to introduce PCV20 into the National Immunization Program for children and recommends its safe implementation in clinical settings.

• QuickStats 2025-10-23

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  Trends in the Prevalence of Anemia, 2014–2023

  Seungyeon Wi

  Public Health Weekly Report 2025; 18(41): 1575-1576 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2025.18.41.5

  

  

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