Objectives On February 16, 2022, 12 cases of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection were reported in a food manufacturing factory in Korea. The aim of this study was to identify additional cases and to determine the source of this HEV outbreak. Methods: This study was an in-depth investigation of 12 HEV immunoglobulin M (IgM)-positive cases and their demographic, clinical, and epidemiological characteristics. On-site specimens were collected from the environment and from humans, and a follow-up investigation was conducted 2 to 3 months after the outbreak. Results: Among 80 production workers in the factory, 12 (15.0%) had acute HEV infection, all of whom were asymptomatic. The follow-up investigation showed that 3 cases were HEV IgMpositive, while 6 were HEV IgG-positive. HEV genes were not detected in the HEV IgM-positive specimens. HEV genes were not detected in the food products or environmental specimens collected on-site. HEV was presumed to be the causative pathogen. However, it could not be confirmed that the source of infection was common consumption inside the factory. Conclusion: This was the first domestic case of an HEV infection outbreak in a food manufacturing factory in Korea. Our results provide information for the future control of outbreaks and for the preparation of measures to prevent domestic outbreaks of HEV infection.
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Current global estimates, risk factors, and knowledge gaps for Hepatitis E virus (HEV): A scoping review Md Koushik Ahmed, Hanna Maroofi, Madeleine Blunt, Alain Labrique, Carl Kirkwood, Kirsten Vannice, Kawsar R. Talaat, Julia Lynch, Brittany L. Kmush, David Safronetz PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases.2026; 20(3): e0013980. CrossRef
<sec>
<title>Objectives</title>
<p>The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors involved in the success of smoking cessation in heavy smokers enrolled in an intensive care smoking cessation camp program.</p></sec>
<sec>
<title>Methods</title>
<p>Heavy smokers enrolled in the program were classified into a success (<italic>n</italic> = 69) or failure (<italic>n</italic> = 29) group, according to whether they maintained smoking cessation for 6 months after the end of the program. Demographics, smoking behaviors, and smoking cessation-related characteristics were analyzed.</p></sec>
<sec>
<title>Results</title>
<p>Statistically significantly more participants in the success group had a spouse (98.6%; <italic>p</italic> = 0.008) compared with participants in the failure group (82.8%). However, multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that having a spouse was not an independent factor in smoking cessation (<italic>p</italic> = 0.349). A significant difference in the frequency of counseling between the success and failure groups was observed (<italic>p</italic> = 0.001), with 72.5% of those who received counseling on 3–5 occasions for 6 months after the end of program successfully quit smoking, indicating that those who received more counseling had a higher likelihood of smoking cessation success. This was confirmed as an independent factor by multivariate logistic regression (<italic>p</italic> < 0.005). Furthermore, a graduate school level of education or higher, indicated a statistically greater success rate compared to those that were less well educated (<italic>p</italic> = 0.043). This was also observed as a significant independent factor using multivariate logistic regression (<italic>p</italic> = 0.046).</p></sec>
<sec>
<title>Conclusion</title>
<p>Education level, marital status, and the number of counseling sessions were significant factors contributing to smoking cessation success.</p></sec>
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COVID-19 pandemic and motivation to smoking cessation Ferit Kaya, Hülya Doğan Tiryaki, Engin Burak Selçuk, Eda Fulden Tutar Çölgeçen Journal of Medical Topics and Updates.2024; 3(1): 14. CrossRef
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<sec>
<title>Objectives</title>
<p>The increase in the obesity rate in adult males in Korea is higher than countries in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development and other Asian countries. We examined the trends and prevalence of major risk factors for cardiovascular disease by evaluating the weight status amongst adults from 2007 to 2015.</p></sec>
<sec>
<title>Methods</title>
<p>The study included 37,402 adults, who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The prevalence trends of cardiovascular disease risk factors were estimated for each body mass index group.</p></sec>
<sec>
<title>Results</title>
<p>From 2007 to 2015, significant increases in the prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia were observed in normal weight adults (0.03 percentage point (%p), 0.06%p, and 0.13%p, respectively). Amongst the overweight and obese adults, a significant increase in the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia was observed, During this period, the prevalence of smoking decreased amongst obese adults and no significant changes in drinking habits and physical activity were noted across all body mass index groups.</p></sec>
<sec>
<title>Conclusion</title>
<p>The prevalence of obesity in Korean adults is increasing, and it is necessary to implement interventions to prevent further weight gain and obesity-associated cardiovascular disease.</p></sec>
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