J Korean Soc Emerg Med.  2025 Apr;36(2):63-71.

The epidemiologic characteristics of dog-bite injury during COVID-19 pandemic in Korea

• Kim JH
• Sohn Y
• Cho GC
• Cho Y

Abstract

Objective
The frequency and severity of dog bite injuries were reported to increase during the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study examined the status of dog bite injuries in Korea and the changes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods
Patient information was obtained from in-depth research data on patients from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2020, conducted by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The general characteristics, the situation and location at the time of the dog bite injury, severity, and the means of transport to the emergency department (ED) were evaluated, and the excess mortality ratio-adjusted injury severity score was determined to evaluate the severity. The differences between the pre-COVID pandemic (2019) and post-COVID pandemic (2020) were compared, and subgroups by age were also analyzed.
Results
Under the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of patients decreased in all age groups. In contrast, the severity, especially in the under-19-year-old group, showed a slight but significant increase. In addition, dog bite injuries occurred most frequently in the home, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Conclusion
The severity of dog bites in those under the age of 19 was highest, which should be considered when setting more appropriate guidelines for the classification and treatment of dog-bite patients in an ED. Dog bite injuries occur most frequently during daily activity in the house. This tendency was further strengthened in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keyword

Wounds and injuries; Dogs; Bites and stings; COVID-19