• Title/Summary/Keyword: infectious disease outbreaks

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Survey on antibody against bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) in cattle in Korea

  • Choi, Eun-Jin;Song, Seungmin;Oem, Jae-Ku;Oh, Yooni;Kim, Eun-Ju;Song, Jae-Young
    • Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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    • v.37 no.2
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    • pp.97-100
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    • 2014
  • This study was performed in Korea to get serological information for bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1), most commonly found in cattle. Antibodies against BoHV-1 were examined by targeting infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) in unvaccinated and vaccinated cattle, using viral neutralization (VN) test. In 2013, among 261 sera collected from IBR-unvaccinated herds, 7 sera (2.7%) were found seropositive and their VN titers were ranging from 1:4 to 1:32. Among 315 sera collected from IBR-vaccinated herds in large capacity farms, 303 sera (96.2%) were found to be seropositive for BoHV-1 and their VN titers were in the range of 1:4 to 1:2048. It was found that the IBR-vaccinated herds had higher levels of VN titer than IBR-unvaccinated herds. The results indicated that it may be due to heavy vaccination in vaccinated herds and no or a little infection in unvaccinated herds. At the end of the study it was concluded that although the seropositivity in IBR-unvaccinated herds was low, the monitoring of IBR should be continuously practiced to control and prevent the disease because of exportation of living cattle causing its nationwide outbreaks.

Changes in Fish Viral Disease Outbreaks in the Coastal Area of Korea Due to Increasing Water Temperature, an Impact of Climate Change (기후변화에 기인한 연안 수온상승에 따른 연안 어류의 바이러스성 질병 발생 예측)

  • Kim, Wi-Sik;Kim, Seok-Ryel;Park, Myoung-Ae;Lee, Joon-Soo;Avunje, Satheesha;Kim, Do-Hyung;Oh, Myung-Joo
    • Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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    • v.46 no.5
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    • pp.582-588
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    • 2013
  • The impact of global warming on aquatic systems has been a priority research area in the past decade. However, the possibility that increased temperatures will cause shifts in viral disease outbreaks has not been well addressed. In the present study, with increasing water temperature (WT) in the coastal area of Korea, we estimated the possibility of changes in fish viral diseases. From the present time, WT may rise between 0.62 and $1.7^{\circ}C$ by 2050, and the effect on aquaculture could be more adverse than benefitial. Red seabream iridovirus disease (RSIVD) and viral nervous necrosis (VNN) cause high mortality above 22 and $24^{\circ}C$, respectively, and outbreaks could commence earlier and persist for prolonged periods. Nevertheless, the period of occurrence of viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS), which outbreaks at a lower WT (< $18^{\circ}C$), could be shorter than the current infectious period. Thermal stress in fish causes reductions in growth and immunocompetence; thus, increases in summer WT can lead to the development of new viral diseases. WT has a strong influence on fish population dynamics; therefore, entry of new viruses and changes in the prevalence of infection can be expected if carrier fishes are introduced or migrate to Korean waters.

Epidemiology of astrovirus infection in children

  • Jeong, Hye-Sook;Jeong, Ah-Yong;Cheon, Doo-Sung
    • Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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    • v.55 no.3
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    • pp.77-82
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    • 2012
  • Human astrovirus (HAstV) is a major cause of acute diarrhea among children, resulting in outbreaks of diarrhea and occasionally hospitalization. Improved surveillance and application of sensitive molecular diagnostics have further defined the impact of HAstV infections in children. These studies have shown that HAstV infections are clinically milder (diarrhea, vomiting, fever) than infections with other enteric agents. Among the 8 serotypes of HAstV identified, serotype 1 is the predominant strain worldwide. In addition to serotype 1, the detection rate of HAstV types 2 to 8 has increased by using newly developed assays. HAstV is less common compared with other major gastroenteritis viruses, including norovirus and rotavirus; however, it is a potentially important viral etiological agent with a significant role in acute gastroenteritis. A better understanding of the molecular epidemiology and characteristics of HAstV strains may be valuable to develop specific prevention strategies.

Isolation and identification of infectious bursal disease virus from broiler and layer chickens during the outbreak year 2007 in Bangladesh

  • Islam, Md. Taohidul;Mohiuddin, Mohammad;Hossain, Muhammad Tofazzal;Rahman, Md. Bahanur;Rahman, Md. Mostafizur;Rahman, Md. Siddiqur;Song, Hee-Jong;Islam, Md. Alimul
    • Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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    • v.35 no.1
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    • pp.9-17
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    • 2012
  • The objective of the present study was to isolate and identify infectious bursal disease viruses (IBDVs) from broiler and layer chickens of outbreaks of infectious bursal disease (IBD) in three districts of Bangladesh. A total of 70 bursal samples were collected from dead broiler (n=40) and layer (n=30) chickens showing specific lesions of IBD from seven commercial poultry farms of three different districts (Mymensingh, Chittagong and Tangail) of Bangladesh during the year 2007. Five representative bursal samples from each farm were used for the isolation of IBDVs using 9-day-old embryonated eggs of seronegative flock of layer birds and for identification the samples were subjected to agar gel immunodiffusion test (AGIDT), immunohistochemistry (IHC) and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Out of 35 bursal samples, IBDVs were successfully isolated from 28 (80%) samples. By AGIDT, 32 (91.4%) samples were found positive for IBDV antigen. Results of AGIDT clearly indicated that IBDVs detected in 29 bursal samples of six affected farms were identical to each other but not to IBDVs present in the remaining three samples of another farm. Indirect immunoperoxidase staining of the bursal sections revealed the presence of IBDV antigen in 32 (91.4%) samples and the IBDV antigen was detected mainly in the cortex of the lymphoid follicles of the bursal tissues. In histopathology, cell depletion, atrophy and necrosis were observed in many bursal follicles with severe edema of interfollicular septa. Of the 35 bursal samples, 34 (97.1%) samples generated 254 bp product by RT-PCR. In conclusion, the results of virus isolation and identification by AGIDT, IHC and the analysis of viral genome by RT-PCR confirmed the outbreaks of acute IBD in commercial poultry of Bangladesh. Moreover, histopathological findings and results of AGIDT gave a clear indication that the isolates from six outbreaks were different from classical strain and it seems to be of very virulent strain. On the other hand, the isolates from the other outbreak were similar to the classical strain.

Sources of Infection Among Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 in Jeju Province, Korea

  • Hwang, Moonkyong;Bae, Jong-Myon
    • Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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    • v.54 no.4
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    • pp.245-250
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    • 2021
  • Objectives: Jeju Province in Korea reported 627 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases between January 20, 2020, and March 31, 2021. This study analyzed the sources of infection among confirmed cases in Jeju Province, a self-governed island. Methods: The sources of infection were broadly categorized as follows: (1) infections from overseas (confirmed patients who reported travel overseas or contact with overseas travelers); (2) infections from outside Jeju Province (confirmed patients who had visited other provinces or had contact with individuals who had traveled to other provinces in Korea); and (3) unknown sources of infection (confirmed patients who were infected following contact with an infected person whose source of infection was unknown). The chi-square test was used to analyze the differences in the distributions of related variables for each source of infection. Results: Of the 627 confirmed cases, 38 (6.1%) were infections from overseas sources, 199 (31.7%) were from outside of Jeju Province, and 390 (62.2%) were from unknown sources. Jeju Province had no cases with an unknown source of infection during the first and second waves of the nationwide outbreak. Conclusions: Infections from overseas sources could be blocked from spreading to local communities in Jeju Province by conducting screening at the airport, along with the preemptive suspension of visa-free entry. In addition, considering the scale of the nationwide outbreak, measures must be established to delay outbreaks from unknown sources of infection caused by sources outside Jeju Province.

Avian influenza virus surveillance in wild bird in South Korea from 2019 to 2022

  • Eun-Jee, Na;Su-Beom, Chae;Jun-Soo, Park;Yoon-Ji, Kim;Young-Sik, Kim;Jae-Ku, Oem
    • Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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    • v.45 no.4
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    • pp.285-292
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    • 2022
  • Avian influenza viruses (AIVs) cause contagious diseases and have the potential to infect not only birds but also mammals. Wild birds are the natural reservoir of AIVs and spread them worldwide while migrating. Here we collected active AIV surveillance data from wild bird habitats during the 2019 to 2022 winter seasons (from September to March of the following year) in South Korea. We isolated 97 AIVs from a total of 7,590 fecal samples and found the yearly prevalence of AIVs was 0.83, 1.48, and 1.27, respectively. The prevalence of AIVs were generally higher from September to November. These findings demonstrate that a high number of wild birds that carry AIVs migrate into South Korea during the autumn season. The highest virus numbers were isolated from the species Anas platyrhynchos (72%; n=70), followed by Anas poecilorhyncha (15.4%; n=15), suggesting that each is an important host for these pathogens. Twenty-five hemagglutinin-neuraminidase subtypes were isolated, and all AIVs except the H5N8 subtype were found to be low-pathogenic avian influenza viruses (LPAIVs). Active surveillance of AIVs in wild birds could benefit public health because it could help to estimate their risk for introduction into animals and humans. Moreover, considering that 132 cases of human AIV infections have been reported worldwide within the last 5 years, active surveillance of AIVs is necessary to avoid outbreaks.

Evolving Problem Analyses of Recent Marek's Disease (최근 진화하는 마렉병의 원인 분석)

  • Jang, H.K.;Park, Y.M.;Cha, S.Y.;Park, J.B.
    • Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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    • v.34 no.4
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    • pp.301-318
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    • 2007
  • Marek's disease (MD) is a highly contagious lymphoproliferative disease of poultry caused by the oncogenic herpesvirus designated Marek's disease virus (MDV). MD has a worldwide distribution and is thought to cause an annual loss over US$ one billion to the poultry industry. Originally described as a paralytic disease, today MD is mostly manifested as an acute disease with tumors in multiple visceral organs. MD is controlled essentially by the widespread use of live vaccines administered either in ovo into 18-day-old embryos or into chicks immediately after they hatch. In spite of the success of the vaccines in reducing the losses from the disease in the last 30 years, MDV strains have shown continuous evolution in virulence acquiring the ability to overcome the immune responses induced by the vaccines. During this period, different generations of MD vaccines have been introduced to protect birds from the increasingly virulent MDV strains. However, the virus will be countered each new vaccine strategy with ever more virulent strains. In spite of this concern, currently field problem from MD is likely to be controled by strategy of using bivalent vaccine. But, potential risk factors for outbreak of MD are still remained in this condition. The major factors can be thought that improper handling and incorrect administration of the vaccine, infection prior to establishment of immunity, suppression of immune system by environmental stress and outbreaks of more virulent MDV strain by using vaccine and genetic resistance of host.

The Evolving Policy Debate on Border Closure in Korea

  • Kang, SuJin;Moon, Jihyun;Kang, Heewon;Nam, Heekyoung;Tak, Sangwoo;Cho, Sung-il
    • Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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    • v.53 no.5
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    • pp.302-306
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    • 2020
  • Objectives: In this paper, we aimed to investigate the evolving debate over border closure in Korea during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, to address the main themes associated with border closure, and to discuss the factors that need to be considered when making such decisions. Methods: We collated and reviewed previously conducted review studies on border closures during infectious disease outbreaks to derive relevant themes and factors. Results: According to our systematic review on border closures and travel restrictions, the effects of such containment efforts are limited. We suggest considering the following factors when determining whether to impose border closure measures: (1) disease characteristics, (2) timeliness of implementation, (3) transmission delay and the basic reproduction number, (4) globalization and pandemics, and (5) social and economic costs. Conclusions: Our assessment indicates that the effects of border closures are at best temporary and limited. Alternative measures must be contemplated and implemented to suppress the spread of COVID-19 in particular and infectious diseases more broadly.

Community-acquired Legionnaires' Disease in a Newly Constructed Apartment Building

  • Ryu, Sukhyun;Yang, Kyungho;Chun, Byung Chul
    • Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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    • v.50 no.4
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    • pp.274-277
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    • 2017
  • Objectives: Legionnaires' disease (LD) is a severe type of pneumonia caused by inhalation of aerosols contaminated with Legionella. On September 22, 2016, a single case of LD was reported from a newly built apartment building in Gyeonggi province. This article describes an epidemiologic investigation of LD and identification of the possible source of infection. Methods: To identify the source of LD, we interviewed the patient's husband using a questionnaire based on the Legionella management guidelines from the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Water samples from the site were collected and analyzed. An epidemiological investigation of the residents and visitors in the apartment building was conducted for 14 days before the index patient's symptoms first appeared to 14 days after the implementation of environmental control measures. Results: Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 was isolated from the heated-water samples from the patient's residence and the basement of the apartment complex. Thirty-two suspected cases were reported from the apartment building during the surveillance period, yet all were confirmed negative based on urinary antigen tests. Conclusions: The likely source of infection was the building's potable water, particularly heated water. Further study of effective monitoring systems in heated potable water should be considered.