<b>Objectives</b><br/>In the Republic of Korea, the previous surveillance system for zoonotic tuberculosis (TB) involved the X-ray testing of humans in contact with Mycobacterium bovis-infected livestock. In contrast, the updated surveillance system incorporates the genotyping of cultured Mycobacterium isolates for high-risk occupational groups. This study aimed to systematically document the detection, diagnosis, assessment, and response in the epidemic investigation of zoonotic TB in a laboratory worker in the Republic of Korea.
<br/><b>Methods</b><br/>M. bovis was confirmed using spoligotyping and whole genome sequencing. Clinical characteristics were reviewed through epidemiological investigation and interviews with the affected individual. Transmission routes and secondary spread were assessed via field epidemiological investigations and contact evaluations using chest X-ray and interferon gamma release assay for latent TB infection.
<br/><b>Results</b><br/>A 56-year-old laboratory worker presented with chest X-ray findings compatible with TB and subsequently tested positive for M. bovis. She had no clinical or family history of TB and remained asymptomatic. She completed a 6 month treatment regimen of isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide without hospitalization. Although no direct transmission pathways for zoonotic TB were identified, her work in a laboratory, processing specimens for zoonotic TB, indicated potential laboratory related exposure.
<br/><b>Conclusion</b><br/>This case underscores the importance of stringent use of personal protective equipment among high-risk occupational groups and the implementation of an enhanced surveillance system to report zoonotic TB. These findings highlight the need for a One Health approach and proactive surveillance, emphasizing the necessity of refining and strengthening surveillance systems for precise monitoring and an effective response.
<b>Objectives</b><br/>Between July 2, 2021, and September 20, 2022, a Mycobacterium bovis outbreak occurred among exhibition animals at a zoo in the Republic of Korea. This study was conducted to assess the likelihood of M. bovis transmission to human contacts through a contact investigation and to implement preventive treatment for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). Methods: In this descriptive study, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency conducted a contact investigation, which included interviews, interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) tests, and chest X-rays. Contacts underwent IGRA testing on 2 occasions: initial testing of 29 contacts (15 in the first cluster of infection and 14 in the second cluster) and follow-up testing of the 15 contacts in the first cluster. Results: The study included 29 participants, 18 of whom were male (62.1%) and 11 female (37.9%). The mean participant age was 37.3 years (standard deviation, 9.6 years). In the initial IGRA tests, 6 of the 29 participants tested positive, indicating a prevalence of 20.7%. Following prolonged exposure, 1 additional positive case was detected in follow-up testing, raising the prevalence of LTBI to 24.1%. None of the contacts had active tuberculosis. Among the 7 individuals with positive results, 2 (28.6%) underwent treatment for LTBI. Conclusion: This study faced challenges in confirming the transmission of M. bovis infection from infected animals to humans in the Republic of Korea. Nevertheless, adopting a One Health approach necessitates the implementation of surveillance systems and infection control protocols, particularly for occupational groups at high risk of exposure.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
Identification of zoonotic pathogens in zoo animals in the Republic of Korea Jinho Um, Jeongho Kim, Seok-Jin Cho, Min-ho Park, Hyung-Chul Cho, Yu-Jin Park, Kyoung-Seong Choi International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites .2025; 27: 101067. CrossRef
First report of human Mycobacterium bovis infection in a veterinary laboratory worker in the Republic of Korea Ji-Yeon Lee, Seong Wook Pyo, Jieun Kim, Young-Joon Park Osong Public Health and Research Perspectives.2025; 16(3): 292. CrossRef
<b>Objectives</b><br/>The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has continued since its first detection in the Republic of Korea on January 20, 2020. This study describes the early countermeasures used to minimize the risk of COVID-19 outbreaks during cohort quarantine and compares the epidemiological characteristics of 2 outbreaks in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) in Gwangju Metropolitan City in summer 2020. Methods: An epidemiological investigation was conducted via direct visits. We investigated epidemiological characteristics, including incidence, morbidity, and mortality rates, for all residents and staff members. Demographic characteristics were analyzed using a statistical program. Additionally, the method of managing infection in LTCFs is described. Results: Residents and caregivers had high incidence rates in LTCF-A and LTCF-B, respectively. LTCF-B had a longer quarantine period than LTCF-A. The attack rate was 20.02% in LTCF-A and 27.9% in LTCF-B. The mortality rate was 2.3% (1/43) in LTCF-B, the only facility in which a COVID-19 death occurred. Conclusion: Extensive management requires contact minimization, which involves testing all contacts to mitigate further transmission in the early stages of LTCF outbreaks. The findings of this study can help inform and prepare public health authorities for COVID-19 outbreaks, particularly for early control in vulnerable facilities.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
Healthcare workers' views on the response to COVID-19 in long-term care hospitals in Korea: a mixed-method study Eun Kyoung Yun, In Seo La, Sunmi Kim, Seongyu Han, Hyungran Lee Frontiers in Public Health.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Shin Young Park, Gawon Choi, Hyeyoung Lee, Na-young Kim, Seon-young Lee, Kyungnam Kim, Soyoung Shin, Eunsu Jang, YoungSin Moon, KwangHwan Oh, JaeRin Choi, Sangeun Lee, Young-Man Kim, Jieun Kim, Seonju Yi, Jin Gwack, Ok Park, Young Joon Park
Osong Public Health Res Perspect 2020;11(4):259-264. Published online August 31, 2020
<p>This study describes the epidemiological characteristics of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) based on reported cases from long-term care facilities. As of April 20<sup>th</sup>, 2020, 3 long-term care facilities in a metropolitan area of South Korea had reported cases of COVID-19. These facilities’ employees were presumed to be the sources of infection. There were 2 nursing hospitals that did not report any additional cases. One nursing home had a total of 25 cases, with an attack rate of 51.4% (95% CI 35.6–67.0), and a fatality rate of 38.9% (95% CI 20.3–61.4) among residents. The results from this study suggest that early detection and maintenance of infection control minimizes the risk of rapid transmission.</p>
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
Factors influencing long-term care facility performance during the COVID-19 pandemic: a scoping review Eric Nguemeleu Tchouaket, Katya Kruglova, Josiane Létourneau, Emilie Bélanger, Stephanie Robins, Maripier Jubinville, Fatima El-Mousawi, Shiyang Shen, Idrissa Beogo, Drissa Sia BMC Health Services Research.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and corresponding control measures on long-term care facilities: a systematic review and meta-analysis Jun Zhang, Yushan Yu, Mirko Petrovic, Xiaomei Pei, Qing-Bao Tian, Lei Zhang, Wei-Hong Zhang Age and Ageing.2023;[Epub] CrossRef
A scoping review of the impacts of COVID-19 physical distancing measures on vulnerable population groups Lili Li, Araz Taeihagh, Si Ying Tan Nature Communications.2023;[Epub] CrossRef
Analysis of Concentrated COVID-19 Outbreaks in Elderly Facilities in Suita City, Osaka Prefecture, Japan Toshiyuki Shibata, Sawa Okano, Daisuke Onozuka, Etsuko Ohta, Satoshi Kutsuna International Journal of Environmental Research an.2023; 20(20): 6926. CrossRef
Factors relating to intention of use non-face-to-face services among family caregivers of persons with dementia: A cross-sectional study Myonghwa Park, Jinju Kim, Jihye Jung, Seonhwa Kim, Jinhee Lee, Dongyoung Lee Journal of Korean Gerontological Nursing.2023; 25(4): 377. CrossRef
Staffing Levels and COVID-19 Infections and Deaths in Korean Nursing Homes Jiyeon Lee, Juh Hyun Shin, Kyeong Hun Lee, Charlene A. Harrington, Sun Ok Jung Policy, Politics, & Nursing Practice.2022; 23(1): 15. CrossRef
An Experience of the Early Stage of COVID-19 Outbreak in Nursing Homes in Gyeonggi Province, Korea Gawon Choi, Na-young Kim, Seon-young Lee, Hae Deun Noh, Heeyoung Lee Korean Journal of Clinical Geriatrics.2022; 23(1): 27. CrossRef
The implications of the COVID-19 pandemic for long term care facilities Muh-Yong Yen, Jonathan Schwartz, Po-Ren Hsueh Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases.2022; 35(4): 370. CrossRef
Health impact of the first and second wave of COVID-19 and related restrictive measures among nursing home residents: a scoping review Marjolein E. A. Verbiest, Annerieke Stoop, Aukelien Scheffelaar, Meriam M. Janssen, Leonieke C. van Boekel, Katrien G. Luijkx BMC Health Services Research.2022;[Epub] CrossRef
Epidemiology and clinical features of COVID-19 outbreaks in aged care facilities: A systematic review and meta-analysis Mohammad Rashidul Hashan, Nicolas Smoll, Catherine King, Hannah Ockenden-Muldoon, Jacina Walker, Andre Wattiaux, Julieanne Graham, Robert Booy, Gulam Khandaker EClinicalMedicine.2021; 33: 100771. CrossRef
Protecting Nursing Homes and Long-Term Care Facilities From COVID-19: A Rapid Review of International Evidence Sally Hall Dykgraaf, Sethunya Matenge, Jane Desborough, Elizabeth Sturgiss, Garang Dut, Leslee Roberts, Alison McMillan, Michael Kidd Journal of the American Medical Directors Associat.2021; 22(10): 1969. CrossRef
Dementia Risk among Coronavirus Disease Survivors: A Nationwide Cohort Study in South Korea Hye-Yoon Park, In-Ae Song, Tak-Kyu Oh Journal of Personalized Medicine.2021; 11(10): 1015. CrossRef
Yunhyung Kwon, So Jung Kim, Jieun Kim, Seol-yi Kim, Eun Mi Song, Eun Jung Lee, Yun Choi, Yejin Kim, Byoung ok Lim, Da Sul Kim, Duksun Choi, Hye Sung Kim, Ji Eun Park, Ji-eun Yun, Jin A. Park, Jong Rak Jung, Joo-kyoung Kim, Sang Hee Kang, Seo Yean Hong, Seung Jae Lee, Soo Jin Park, Sun Hwa Park, Sunhye Yoon, Yoonsun Kim, Yunjeong Choi, Yun Jeong Seo, Yul A Seo, Jiseon Park, Minhee Sung, Minjang Shin, Hyunjin Son, Yeonkyeng Lee, Unyeong Go, Geun-Yong Kwon
Osong Public Health Res Perspect 2014;5(Suppl):S30-S36. Published online December 31, 2014
<b>Objectives</b><br/>
This study aimed to check the status of the contact investigation in congregate settings to eradicate tuberculosis (TB) in the Republic of Korea.<br/><b>Methods</b><br/>
The “Integrated System for Disease and Public Health Management” is used for care and follow-up for patients and contacts of TB. We downloaded data for contact investigations conducted from January to December 2013.<br/><b>Results</b><br/>
A total of 1,200 contact investigations in congregate settings were carried out by 25 field investigators in 2013. We performed the status of contact investigation, TB, and LTBI rate by age, accept rate of LTBI treatment, and complete rate of LTBI treatment during 2013. A total of 1,547 index TB patients, 149,166 contacts, and 259 additional TB patients were found through the investigation. Kindergartens showed the highest LTBI rate, 19.8%, among educational facilities. The second highest was in elementary schools and the subtotal LTBI rate of educational facilities was 7.8%. Social welfare/correctional facilities and workplaces showed relatively high LTBI rates of 23.8% and 23.6%, respectively. By age, individuals >35 years showed the highest LTBI rate, followed by those aged 0–4 years, 30–34 years, and 5–9 years, with rates of 18.1%, 16.4%, and 15.4% respectively. When comparing the tuberculin skin test (TST) positive conversion ratio by facility, middle school and high school were relatively high compared to the others. The accept rate of LTBI treatment in the workplace was lowest at 63% and the complete rate in elementary schools was lowest at 76.5%.<br/><b>Conclusion</b><br/>
TB contact investigation is considered as a meaningful strategy for preventing TB outbreaks in congregate settings and decreasing the prevalence of TB in young people. Results of this study could be used to establish the LTBI management policy.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
Underestimated latent tuberculosis infection burden among school contacts in China: a cross-sectional study Jin Yin, Mei Wang, Chengguo Wu, Yaling Shi, Ying Liu, Ya Yu, Qian Su, Zhengyu Zhang, Xueyong Huang, Xiaoshuang Zhang, Jun Fan, Bo Wu Archives of Public Health.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Latent Tuberculosis Cascade of Care Among Healthcare Workers: A Nationwide Cohort Analysis in Korea Between 2017 and 2018 Jinsoo Min, Hyung Woo Kim, Joon Young Choi, Ah Young Shin, Ji Young Kang, Yunhee Lee, Jun-Pyo Myong, Hyunsuk Jeong, Sanghyuk Bae, Hyeon-Kyoung Koo, Sung-Soon Lee, Jae Seuk Park, Hyeon Woo Yim, Ju Sang Kim Journal of Korean Medical Science.2022;[Epub] CrossRef
Risk of active tuberculosis development in contacts exposed to infectious tuberculosis in congregate settings in Korea Shin Young Park, Sunmi Han, Young-Man Kim, Jieun Kim, Sodam Lee, Jiyeon Yang, Un-Na Kim, Mi-sun Park Scientific Reports.2020;[Epub] CrossRef
The risk of active tuberculosis among individuals living in tuberculosis-affected households in the Republic of Korea, 2015 Jiyeon Yang, Sodam Lee, Suhyeon Oh, Sunmi Han, Shin Young Park, Youngman Kim, Jieun Kim, Mi-sun Park, Philip C. Hill PLOS ONE.2019; 14(12): e0225744. CrossRef
The Infectivity of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Korean Army Units: Evidence from Outbreak Investigations Chang-gyo Yoon, Dong Yoon Kang, Jaehun Jung, Soo Yon Oh, Jin Beom Lee, Mi-Hyun Kim, Younsuk Seo, Hee-Jin Kim Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases.2019; 82(4): 298. CrossRef
Tuberculosis prevention and care in Korea: Evolution of policy and practice Unyeong Go, Misun Park, Un-Na Kim, Sodam Lee, Sunmi Han, Joosun Lee, Jiyeon Yang, Jieun Kim, Shinyoung Park, Youngman Kim, Hyosoon Yoo, Jeongok Cha, Wonseo Park, Haeyoung Kang, Hwon Kim, Guri Park, Minjung Kim, Ok Park, Hyunjin Son, Enhi Cho, Kyoungin Na, Journal of Clinical Tuberculosis and Other Mycobac.2018; 11: 28. CrossRef
The Prevalence and Risk Factors of Latent Tuberculosis Infection among Health Care Workers Working in a Tertiary Hospital in South Korea Jae Seuk Park Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases.2018; 81(4): 274. CrossRef
First
Prev
