• 보건교육건강증진학회지
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• 제32권3호
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• pp.1-9
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• 2015

Objectives: The purpose of this article was to assess epidemiological characteristics and recommendations for strengthening national response and preparedness after MERS-CoV outbreak in Korea, 2015. Methods: The author reviewed epidemiological reports and policy recommendations on MERS-CoV outbreak in Korea, 2015. Results: There was no evidence that genetical difference between the MERS viruses in the Republic of Korea and recent viruses in the Middle East. From the index case to last laboratory-confirmed case, there were 186 laboratory-confirmed cases that included 36 deaths(19.4%), all of whom appear epidemiologically linked to the index cases or subsequent secondary, tertiary, and quaternary cases. This outbreak spread to hospitals through nosocomial transmission. At least, three large clusters were investigated. However, there was at least one case of community transmission of MERS-CoV. Several factors had contributed to the MERS outbreak in Korea, 2015 that including epidemiological characteristics, and infrastructure of national healthcare system for preventing and controlling emerging infectious diseases. Conclusions: It is very important that to share experiences and identify underlying causes of this outbreak for prevention and control of emerging infectious disease in the future; including epidemiology, clinical features, and public health response and preparedness.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제45권5호
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• pp.277-282
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• 2012

Field epidemiology involves the implementation of quick and targeted public health interventions with the aid of epidemiological methods. In this article, we share our practical experiences in outbreak management and in safeguarding the population against novel diseases. Given that cities represent the financial nexuses of the global economy, global health security necessitates the safeguard of cities against epidemic diseases. Singapore's public health landscape has undergone a systemic and irreversible shift with global connectivity, rapid urbanization, ecological change, increased affluence, as well as shifting demographic patterns over the past two decades. Concomitantly, the threat of epidemics, ranging from severe acute respiratory syndrome and influenza A (H1N1) to the resurgence of vector-borne diseases as well as the rise of modern lifestyle-related outbreaks, have worsened difficulties in safeguarding public health amidst much elusiveness and unpredictability. One critical factor that has helped the country overcome these innate and man-made public health vulnerabilities is the development of a resilient field epidemiology service, which includes our enhancement of surveillance and response capacities for outbreak management, and investment in public health leadership. We offer herein the Singapore story as a case study in meeting the challenges of disease control in our modern built environment.

• 한국동물위생학회지
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• 제32권4호
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• pp.315-323
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• 2009

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) virus exists in seven serotypes and is known to be a highly contagious disease that is hard to eradicate from the world. The O, A, Asia1 and SAT2 serotypes commonly infected cattle, sheep and goats during 2007~2009 throughout the world. In particular, the outbreak of the Asia1 serotype in China appeared in all areas from 2005 and is still present. Surprisingly, in 2009, Taiwan reported the first outbreak of the type O serotype since 2001. Then type A appeared in China for the first time since the early 1960s. The virus shows a close relationship to the viruses from Southeast Asia suggesting one or more recent introductions into China in the OIE reports. Recently the subtype of A/Iran05 spread to nearby countries exhibiting genomic evolution. The use of molecular epidemiology is an important tool in understanding and consequently controlling the FMD virus. The phylogenetic analysis with VP1 gene was especially useful for molecular epidemiological studies and showed the same pattern which matches with serotype classification. This paper describes basic information about the disease, and the serotype-specific characteristics and evolution to perform molecular epidemiological analysis. Furthermore, we show the importance of the genetic evolution on the FMD serotypes in global surveillance and molecular epidemiology of FMD for outbreak investigation.

• 한국동물위생학회지
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• 제46권1호
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• pp.93-106
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• 2023

Emerging and re-emerging zoonotic viruses become critical public health, economic, societal, and cultural burdens. The Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic reveals needs for effective preparedness and responsiveness against the emergence of variants and the next virus outbreak. The targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) significantly contributes to the acquisition of viral genome sequences directly from clinical specimens. Using this advanced NGS technology, the genomic epidemiology and surveillance play a critical role in identifying of infectious source and origin, tracking of transmission chains and virus evolution, and characterizing the virulence and developing of vaccines during the outbreak. In this review, we highlight the platforms and preparation of targeted NGS for the viral genomics. We also demonstrate the application of this strategy to take advantage of the responsiveness and prevention of emerging zoonotic viruses. This article provides broad and deep insights into the preparedness and responsiveness for the next zoonotic virus outbreak.

• 대한수의학회지
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• 제49권4호
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• pp.309-317
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• 2009

The present study describes an investigation on an epidemic of Tuberculosis (TB) which has been occurred among dairy cattle farms in Jeongeup, Jeollabuk-do since 2007. The investigation was performed in three ways as follows: 1. Collecting information about bovine TB outbreaks using investigation reports, an on-the-spot and tracing-back investigations; 2. Analyzing the outbreak pattern; 3. Establishing hypothesis and performing statistical analysis on potential risk factors. In the early 2000s, TB outbreaks were sporadically reported in beef cattle, and only a small number ($1{\sim}2$) of reactors was confirmed in each of outbreak farms. The number of TB outbreaks has been suddenly increased from 2007, mainly in dairy cattle farms. And these outbreaks were temporarily clustered during the period, from March 2007 to April 2009 (relative risk, RR = 13.7, p < 0.001). And two spatial clusters of which radiuses were 0.3 km (RR = 6.9, p < 0.001) and 0.9 km (RR = 3.6, p < 0.01). The analysis to find risk factors was performed on 99 dairy farms (21 outbreaks), which are located in the most seriously affected village during 2007-2009. Middleman (odds ratio, OR = 47.4, p < 0.05) and raw milk collecting system (OR = 6.9, p < 0.05) were recognized as with the highest association. Considering the fact that all the outbreak farms except one had their own manure composting tank, it might be that the manure containing pathogen was leaked from tank and transmitted to other farms by fomites such as middleman or raw milk collecting system.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제44권4호
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• pp.185-189
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• 2011

Objectives: In 1995, an outbreak survey in Gozan-dong concluded that an association between fiberglass exposure in drinking water and cancer outbreak cannot be established. This study follows the subjects from a study in 1995 using a data linkage method to examine whether an association existed. The authors will address the potential benefits and methodological issues following outbreak surveys using data linkage, particularly when informed consent is absent. Methods: This is a follow-up study of 697 (30 exposed) individuals out of the original 888 (31 exposed) participants (78.5%) from 1995 to 2007 assessing the cancer outcomes and deaths of these individuals. The National Cancer Registry (KNCR) and death certificate data were linked using the ID numbers of the participants. The standardized incidence ratio (SIR) and standardized mortality ratio (SMR) from cancers were calculated by the KNCR. Results: The SIR values for all cancer or gastrointestinal cancer (GI) occurrences were the lowest in the exposed group (SIR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.10 to 5.21; 0.00 for GI), while the two control groups (control 1: external, control 2: internal) showed slight increases in their SIR values (SIR, 1.18 and 1.27 for all cancers; 1.62 and 1.46 for GI). All lacked statistical significance. All-cause mortality levels for the three groups showed the same pattern (SMR 0.37, 1.29, and 1.11). Conclusions: This study did not refute a finding of non-association with a 13-year follow-up. Considering that many outbreak surveys are associated with a small sample size and a cross-sectional design, follow-up studies that utilize data linkage should become standard procedure.

• 대한수의학회지
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• 제38권4호
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• pp.803-810
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• 1998

Pullorum disease caused by Salmonella pullorum, has been considered as one of the most important diseases in both clinically and economically in poultry industry since it had been firstly reported in 1925 in Korea. This disease is still problem in the industry in this country even though several attempts have been made to eradicate the disease. As one of the trials to solve the problem, we investigated the pattern of the outbreak of the disease, isolated the causative agent, S pullorum and tested biochemical properties, antimicrobial susceptibility and plasmid profiles of the isolates. Outbreak of the disease based on the species was the highest in layer followed by in Korean native chick, and broiler. Daily mean mortality in vertical transmission (0.90%) was higher than that in horizontal (0.14%). There was no seasonal difference in the outbreak. Also, biochemical properties and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of the isolates were same. However four different plasmid profiles of the isolates were observed. These results suggested that S pullorum isolates were different in the genotype while they were same in phenotypes.

• 한국미생물·생명공학회지
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• 제48권3호
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• pp.252-266
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• 2020

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly contagious pneumonia that has spread throughout the world. It is caused by a novel, single stranded RNA virus called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Genetic analysis revealed that, phylogenetically, the SARS-CoV-2 is related to severe acute respiratory syndrome-like viruses seen in bats. Because of this, bats are considered as a possible primary reservoir. The World Health Organization has declared the COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic. As of May 27, 2020, more than 5,406,282 confirmed cases, and 343,562 confirmed deaths have been reported worldwide. Currently, there are no approved vaccines or antiviral drugs available against COVID-19. Newly developed vaccines are in the first stage of clinical trials, and it may take a few months to a few years for their commercialization. At present, remdesivir and chloroquine are the promising drugs for treating COVID-19 patients. In this review, we summarize the diversity, genetic variations, primary reservoirs, epidemiology, clinical manifestations, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment strategies, and future prospects with respect to controlling the spread of COVID-19.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제33권8호
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• pp.981-991
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• 2023

Monkeypox (Mpox) virus, a member of the Poxviridae family, causes a severe illness similar to smallpox, which is characterized by symptoms such as high fever, rash, and pustules. Human-to-human transmission cases have been reported but remained low since the first recorded case of human infection occurred in the Congo in 1970. Recently, Mpox has re-emerged, leading to an alarming surge in infections worldwide since 2022, originating in the United Kingdom. Consequently, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared the '2022-23 Mpox outbreak'. Currently, no specific therapy or vaccine is available for Mpox. Therefore, patients infected with Mpox are treated using conventional therapies developed for smallpox. However, the vaccines developed for smallpox have demonstrated only partial efficacy against Mpox, allowing viral transmission among humans. In this review, we discuss the current epidemiology of the ongoing Mpox outbreak and provide an update on the progress made in diagnosis, treatment, and development of vaccines for Mpox.

• BMB Reports
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• 제48권2호
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• pp.61-67
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• 2015

Norovirus is a major cause of viral gastroenteritis and a common cause of foodborne and waterborne outbreaks. Norovirus outbreaks are responsible for economic losses, most notably to the public health and food industry field. Norovirus has characteristics such as low infectious dose, prolonged shedding period, strong stability, great diversity, and frequent genome mutations. Besides these characteristics, they are known for rapid and extensive spread in closed settings such as hospitals, hotels, and schools. Norovirus is well known as a major agent of food-poisoning in diverse settings in South Korea. For these reasons, nationwide surveillance for norovirus is active in both clinical and environmental settings in South Korea. Recent studies have reported the emergence of variants and novel recombinants of norovirus. In this review, we summarized studies on the molecular epidemiology and nationwide surveillance of norovirus in South Korea. This review will provide information for vaccine development and prediction of new emerging variants of norovirus in South Korea.