J Korean Med Assoc.  2007 Jul;50(7):573-581. 10.5124/jkma.2007.50.7.573.

Trends of Recent Food-Borne Disease Outbreaks in Korea

• Kwun JW
• Lee CH

• KMID: 2184867
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2007.50.7.573

Abstract

This report summarizes recent food-borne disease outbreaks in Korea by month, pathogen, dining place, and scale. In particular, imported cases are described separately. Sources of information include surveillance and statistic data and reports of KCDC/MOHW and KFDA, and scientific journals from home and abroad. Investigation results indicate that reports of food-borne disease cases and imported cases are increasing continuously in Korea. Many cases still occur in May and June, and new cases increasingly occur in December. Other new characteristic of the recent outbreaks is that they are increasingly attributable to pathogens such as Norovirus and EHEC. Outbreaks at mass meal preparation facilities represent a large proportion of cases, mainly due to the increase in the possibilities for common exposure, pathogen mobility, meat consumption, and the detection itself. To address this health problem, water and sewer service must be widely provided, food materials must be handled thoroughly, and good personal hygiene including proper hand washing must be further underscored. As a responsible agency, KCDC will also need to conduct thorough epidemiological investigations, establish an efficient surveillance system, work in a prompt manner, and enhance partnerships with various agencies.

Keyword

Food-borne disease outbreak; Norovirus; Mass meal preparation facilities; Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(KCDC)

MeSH Terms

Disease Outbreaks*
Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli
Foodborne Diseases*
Hand Disinfection
Humans
Hygiene
Korea*
Meals
Meat
Norovirus
Water
Water

Figure

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  Figure 1 Number of reported food-borne disease cases and outbreaks. Source: KFDA (http://www.kfda.go.kr/open_content/foodpoison/)

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  Figure 2 Infectious gastrointestinal disease cases (from the National Health Insurance Corporation). Source: National Health Insurance Corporation (http://www.nhic.or.kr/wbm/wbmb/wbmb_1000_f.jsp)

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  Figure 3 Number of reported food-borne disease cases by months. Source: KFDA (http://www.kfda.go.kr/open_content/foodpoison/)

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  Figure 4 Number of reported food-born diease outbreaks by pathogens. Source: KFDA (http://www.kfda.go.kr/open_content/foodpoison/)

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  Figure 5 Number of reported food-borne disease outbreaks and cases in school food service establishment by self-operated or contracted. Source: KFDA (http://www.kfda.go.kr/open_content/foodpoison/)

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