The National Influenza Surveillance System of Korea

Choi, Won Suk

doi:10.3947/ic.2019.51.2.98

Cited by 21 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…Korea operates a national influenza surveillance system based on the clinical sentinel surveillance system, laboratory sentinel surveillance system (KINRESS, Korea Influenza and Respiratory Viruses Surveillance System) and hospitalization surveillance system. [15][16][17].…”

Section: Influenza Surveillance System In Koreamentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of Public Health Interventions on Seasonal Influenza Activity During the COVID-19 Outbreak in Korea

Lee

Song

et al. 2020

Clinical Infectious Diseases

149

145

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Background COVID-19 was introduced in Korea early and experienced a large outbreak in mid-February. We aimed to review the public health interventions used during the COVID-19 outbreak and describe the impact on seasonal influenza activity in Korea. Methods National response strategies and public health interventions, along with daily COVID-19 confirmed cases in Korea were reviewed during the pandemic. National influenza surveillance data were compared between seven sequential seasons. Characteristics of each season, including the rate of influenza-like illness (ILI), duration of epidemic, date of termination of epidemic, distribution of influenza virus strain and hospitalization were analyzed. Results After various public health interventions including enforced public education on hand hygiene, cough etiquette and staying at home with respiratory symptoms, universal mask use in public places, refrain from non-essential social activities and school closure, the duration of the influenza epidemic in 2019/2020 decreased by 6-12 weeks and the influenza activity peak rated 49.8 ILI/1,000 visits compared to 71.9-86.2 ILI/1,000 visits of previous seasons. During the period of enforced social distancing from week 9 to 17 of 2020, influenza hospitalization cases were 11.9-26.9-fold lower compared with previous seasons. During the 2019/2020 season, influenza B accounted for only 4%, in contrast with previous seasons in which influenza B accounted for 26.6% to 54.9% of all cases. Conclusions Efforts to activate high level national response not only led to a decrease in COVID-19, but also substantial decrease in seasonal influenza activity. Interventions applied to control COVID-19 may serve as useful strategies for prevention and control of influenza in upcoming seasons.

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Section: Influenza Surveillance System In Koreamentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of Public Health Interventions on Seasonal Influenza Activity During the COVID-19 Outbreak in Korea

Lee

Song

et al. 2020

Clinical Infectious Diseases

149

145

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“…The influenza season in Korea occurs during each winter, like in other countries with temperate climates [ 8 ]. In community settings, no additional isolation or contact screening is required for patients with flu or respiratory infections [ 9 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in respiratory virus infection trends during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea: the effectiveness of public health measures

Park

Kim

et al. 2021

Korean J Intern Med

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Background/Aims: Studies on the effectiveness of public health measures to prevent respiratory virus transmission in real-world settings are lacking. We investigated the effectiveness of universal mask use and adherence to other personal preventive measures on the changing viral respiratory infection patterns during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.Methods: Data were extracted from the South Korean National Respiratory Virus Sentinel Surveillance System. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a cross-sectional survey on adherence to personal preventive measures was conducted. Additionally, the number of subway passengers was analyzed to estimate physical distancing compliance.Results: During the pandemic, adherence to personal preventive measures significantly increased, particularly indoors and on public transportation. Respiratory virus trends were compared based on laboratory surveillance data of 47,675 patients with acute respiratory infections (2016 to 2020). The 2019 to 2020 influenza epidemic ended within 3 weeks, from the epidemic peak to the epidemic end, quickly ending the inf luenza season; with a 1.8- to 2.5-fold faster decline than in previous seasons. Previously, the overall respiratory virus positivity rate remained high after the influenza seasons had ended (47.7% to 69.9%). During the COVID-19 pandemic, this positive rate, 26.5%, was significantly lower than those in previous years. Hospital-based surveillance showed a decreased number of hospitalized patients with acute viral respiratory illnesses.Conclusions: This study suggests that high compliance to the use of personal preventive measures in public might reduce the incidence of all respiratory virus infections and its hospitalization rates, with no additional quarantine, isolation, or contact screening.

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“…This would enable the monitoring of COVID-19 epidemiology in private primary clinics, and academic or teaching hospitals, respectively. 63 64 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Systematic Narrative Review of Comprehensive Preparedness Strategies of Healthcare Resources for a Large Resurgence of COVID-19 Nationally, with Local or Regional Epidemics: Present Era and Beyond

et al. 2020

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Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has penetrated our daily lives, leading us to a new normal era. The unexpected impact of COVID-19 has posed a unique challenge for the health care system, bringing innovation around the world. Considering the current pandemic pattern, comprehensive preparedness strategies of healthcare resources need to be implemented to prepare for a large resurgence of COVID-19 within a short time. With the unprecedented spread of the new pandemic and the impending influenza season, scientific evidence-based schemes need to be developed through cooperation, coordination, and solidarity. Based on the early experience with the current pandemic, this narrative interpretive review of qualitative studies suggests a 6-domain plan to establish a better health care system that is prepared to deal with the current and future public health crises. The 6 domains are medical institutions, medical workforce, medical equipment, COVID-19 surveillance, data and information application, and governance structure.

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The National Influenza Surveillance System of Korea

Cited by 21 publications

References 24 publications

Impact of Public Health Interventions on Seasonal Influenza Activity During the COVID-19 Outbreak in Korea

Impact of Public Health Interventions on Seasonal Influenza Activity During the COVID-19 Outbreak in Korea

Changes in respiratory virus infection trends during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea: the effectiveness of public health measures

A Systematic Narrative Review of Comprehensive Preparedness Strategies of Healthcare Resources for a Large Resurgence of COVID-19 Nationally, with Local or Regional Epidemics: Present Era and Beyond

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