Osong Public Health Res Perspect.  2021 Apr;12(2):73-79. 10.24171/j.phrp.2021.12.2.04.

Trends in recent waterborne and foodborne disease outbreaks in South Korea, 2015–2019

• Lee SH
• Yun JW
• Lee JH
• Jung YH
• Lee DH

• KMID: 2515716
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.24171/j.phrp.2021.12.2.04

Abstract

Objectives
This study analyzed trends in foodborne and waterborne diseases in South Korea between 2015 and 2019.
Methods
The data consisted of information on outbreaks of waterborne and foodborne infectious diseases reported through the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) system. We analyzed the trends and epidemiological aspects of outbreaks by month, place of occurrence, and causative pathogens in this observational study.
Results
The number of outbreaks has steadily increased over the last 5 years, but the number of cases per outbreak has followed a decreasing trend. Incidence at daycare centers and preschools has been steadily increasing over consecutive years.
Conclusion
The steady number of patients and decreasing number of cases per outbreak, even as the number of outbreaks has been increasing, suggest that the KCDC’s professional management system is operating effectively. It is necessary to continue improving the objectivity and efficiency of the management system and to carefully examine the increasing number of outbreaks in smaller-scale group catering facilities, such as daycare centers and preschools. Outbreaks can be prevented by closely examining those caused by unidentified pathogens and group outbreaks caused by other diseases, identifying problems, and supplementing the management system.

Keyword

Foodborne diseases; Korea; Outbreaks; Waterborne disease