PHWR Public Health Weekly Report

Vol.17 No.44, November 14, 2024 Article TypeQuickStatsReview & PerspectiveSurveillance Reports

• Surveillance Reports 2024-11-14

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  Genetic Diversity and Drug Resistance of Human Immunodeficiency Virus from Newly Diagnosed Human Immunodeficiency Virus-positive in Korean, 2022–2023

  Gayeong Kim , Jin-Sook Wang , Heui Man Kim , Seolhui Kim , Eun Ji Kim , Myung-Guk Han *

  Public Health Weekly Report 2024; 17(44): 1863-1873 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2024.17.44.1

  

  

  Abstract

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  Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection can cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The high HIV mutation rate is a major hurdle in vaccine and drug development. In this study, we analyzed the distribution of HIV genotypes and drug resistance mutations in a Korean patient newly infected with HIV between 2022 and 2023. The Korean clade HIV genotype B type (KR-B) was the most predominant HIV genotype, accounting for 70.7% in 2018–2019. However, recent analysis results have confirmed that the distribution of genotypes other than KR-B will increase to 39.2% and 40.5% from 2022 and 2023, respectively. In particular the diversity of genotypes is expected to gradually increase as many recombinants which were not detected in 2018–2019 such as CRF_01B, CRF_0263, and CRF_01BC. In addition, the drug resistance rate in treatment-naive infected individuals is predicted to be 5.2% in 2022 and 6.7% in 2023. HIV drug resistance among the different classes of antiretroviral drugs was not significantly different. Therefore, the proportion of resistance mutations in the main drug classes will remain largely unchanged from 2022 to 2023. In conclusion, it is crucial to periodically analyze the current status of domestic and epidemiological correlations. Also we have to continuously improve process because of the increasing genetic diversity. A surveillance system must be established through periodic monitoring to analyze drug resistance rates that reflect the latest trends.

• Surveillance Reports 2024-11-14

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  Strategies for Improving Infectious Disease Surveillance Systems in Temporary Housing Facilities during Climate-related Disasters

  Hye Young Lee , Sowon Kim , Jemma Park , Yeongseo Ahn , Hyungyong Lee , Yun Jin Park , Jeong Ran Kwon , Yuna Kim

  Public Health Weekly Report 2024; 17(44): 1874-1889 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2024.17.44.2

  Abstract

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  Global warming-induced climate change is accelerating extreme weather events worldwide, which is particularly evident in the increasing frequency and intensity of heavy rainfall. This study aimed to analyze the occurrence of infectious diseases in temporary housing facilities established during heavy rainfall events in the Chungcheong region in 2023 and 2024 and to identify the shortcomings of the current surveillance system while proposing improvements. The study found that local senior centers and community centers were primarily used as temporary housing facilities; however, critical information on environmental risk factors was not systematically collected, specifically data on ventilation systems and hygiene standards were lacking. Furthermore, comprehensive age-related data on the housing facilities population were lacking, making it challenging to assess the vulnerability of high-risk groups, such as the elderly. In 2023, one temporary housing facilities reported that eight out of 25 residents tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019, likely owing to transmission within the facility. However, similar cases were not observed in other housing facilities, which limits the generalizability of these findings. Ultimately, the current surveillance system showed considerable limitations in effectively responding to infectious disease outbreaks owing to incomplete data collection and inconsistent reporting. Therefore, it is essential to establish an information system that facilitates faster data collection and reporting between local and central governments. This study is expected to serve as a foundational resource for future disaster preparedness planning and improvement of infectious disease response systems.

• Surveillance Reports 2024-11-14

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  Results of the 2023–2024 「Winter Cold-related Illness Emergency Room Surveillance System」

  Juhyun Lee , Daeshik An , Younjhin Ahn *

  Public Health Weekly Report 2024; 17(44): 1890-1904 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2024.17.44.3

  

  

  Abstract

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  Since 2013, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency has monitored the occurrence of cold-related illnesses (e.g., hypothermia, frostbite, chilblains, immersion disease, and immersion foot disease) every winter (i.e., December to February of the following year), targeting over 500 emergency medical institutions nationwide. A total of 507 institutions nationwide participated in the 2023–2024 seasonal cold-related illness surveillance system (as of December 2023). During the operation period (i.e., December 1, 2023, to February 29, 2024), 400 cases of cold-related illness were reported, ultimately with 12 patients presumed to have died. The total number of patients decreased by 10.5% (47 patients) compared to that of the previous year (447 patients). The national average temperature in the winter of 2023 (December 2023–February 2024) was 2.4℃, which was 1.9℃ higher than the annual average of 0.5℃. A temporary cold wave occurred in mid-to-late December 2023 and late January due to the influx of cold air from the North Pole. Most patients with cold-related illnesses were male (268 patients, 67.0%), over 80 years old (132 patients, 33.0%), and unemployed (147 patients, 36.8%). The most common location of occurrence was on the roadside (86 patients, 21.5%), followed by home (72 patients, 18.0%) and residential areas (57 patients, 14.3%). The occurrence time was continuous throughout the day; however, 34.5% (138 patients) of all cases occurred during morning activity hours from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. Of all patients, 21.3% (85 patients) were intoxicated upon presentation, and the most common cold-related illness was hypothermia (318 patients, 79.5%).

• Review & Perspective 2024-11-14

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  The Evolution of Diabetes Treatment: Combining Innovative Pharmacological Therapies and Advanced Devices toward Remission

  Jong Han Choi , Min Kyong Moon

  Public Health Weekly Report 2024; 17(44): 1905-1924 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2024.17.44.4

  Abstract

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  The global prevalence of diabetes is rapidly increasing, with one in six adults in the Republic of Korea being affected. Traditional diabetes management focuses on glycemic control to prevent complications. However, recent advancements emphasize individualized treatment strategies. These involve using drugs with a low risk of hypoglycemia and the potential to prevent various metabolic diseases, aiming for diabetes remission, or selecting medications based on comorbidities, regardless of blood glucose levels. Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists not only improve glycemic control but also offer cardiovascular and renal protective effects, making them direct therapeutic options for these conditions. Additionally, early combination therapy, involving medications with different mechanisms of action from those used in the early stages of diabetes, is being increasingly promoted to minimize treatment failure and reduce diabetes-related complications. Innovations in diabetes management devices, including continuous glucose monitoring systems, smart insulin pens, and automated insulin delivery systems, have improved glucose control accuracy and enhanced treatment adherence. For type 1 diabetes, novel therapies, such as once-weekly basal insulin and immunotherapies, have been introduced, with various approaches targeting autoimmune responses currently under investigation. This study explored the impact of these emerging therapeutic agents and management devices on diabetes care and presented future prospects for advancing diabetes remission, based on recent research trends.

• QuickStats 2024-11-14

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  Trends in the Proportion of Adolescents Engaged in Physical Activities, 2014–2023

  Public Health Weekly Report 2024; 17(44): 1925-1926 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2024.17.44.5

  

  

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