TRENDS IN EPIDEMIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF HUMAN Q FEVER IN KOREA FOR THE LAST DECADE SINCE EMERGENCE FROM 2006 TO 2015

Nong-Hun Che, Myeong-Jin Lee and Won-Chang Lee*

ABSTRACT

Background and Methods: This study focuses on a quantitative analysis of the epidemiological aspects of human Q fever in Korea for the last decade since its emergence from 2006 to 2015. The raw data analyzed in this study was obtained from the website of “Q fever” managed by the Korea Center for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC), 2006-2015. Results: There were a total of 133 cases with a cumulative incidence rate (CIR) of 0.27 per million populations. Significantly more men were infected by Q fever than women (79.7% versus 20.3%) (p<0.01), and a higher incidence of Q fever were observed in those age more than 40 years old (72.9%), (p<0.01). Moreover, the seasonal pattern of outbreaks revealed that most outbreaks occurred in the early spring throughout the ending of summer, and that significant more outbreaks occurred in the western parts (69.2%) than eastern areas (30.8%) in the Korean peninsula (p<0.01). Furthermore, the number of cases of Q fever was significantly higher in rural areas (67.7%) than in urban (32.3%), (p<0.01). Conclusion: Q fever in Korea is a new emerging zoonosis, a serious concerned to the public health. Therefore, the development a health education system for Q fever prevention and improvement of the living environment will aid in reducing from its spread from animal reservoirs.

Keywords: Q fever, epidemic aspects, risk factor, Korea.