J Prev Med Public Health.  2019 Jan;52(1):66-70. 10.3961/jpmph.18.246.

Notified Incidence of Tuberculosis in Foreign-born Individuals in Jeju Province, Republic of Korea

• Kim DS
• Bae JM

• KMID: 2440468
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.18.246

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
In the Republic of Korea (ROK), the notified incidence of tuberculosis in foreign-born individuals (NITFBI) has increased recently, as has the rate of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and rifampicin-resistant (RR) tuberculosis in foreigners staying in the ROK. As Jeju Province in ROK has a no-visa entry policy, control programs for NITFBI should be consolidated. The aim was to evaluate the status of NITFBI, with a focus on the distribution of MDR/RR tuberculosis by nationality.
METHODS
Data on tuberculosis incidence in individuals born in Jeju Province and in foreign-born individuals were extracted from the Korean Statistical Information Service of Statistics Korea, and the Infectious Disease Surveillance Web Statistics of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, respectively.
RESULTS
Among all notified incident cases of tuberculosis, the proportion of NITFBI increased from 1.46% in 2011 to 6.84% in 2017. China- and Vietnam-born individuals accounted for the greatest proportion of the 95 cases of NITFBI. Seven cases of MDR/RR tuberculosis were found, all involving patients born in China.
CONCLUSIONS
In Jeju Province, ROK, NITFBI might become more common in the near future. Countermeasures for controlling active tuberculosis in immigrants born in high-risk nations for tuberculosis should be prepared in Jeju Province, since it is a popular tourist destination.

Keyword

Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Antitubercular agents; Drug resistance; Disease management; Internationality

MeSH Terms

Antitubercular Agents
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
China
Communicable Diseases
Disease Management
Drug Resistance
Emigrants and Immigrants
Ethnic Groups
Humans
Incidence*
Information Services
Internationality
Korea
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Republic of Korea*
Tuberculosis*
Antitubercular Agents