Recent epidemiological features on Korean haemorrhagic fever in the Republic of Korea
Kim, K.H.; Shin, H.K.; Song, J.S.
International Journal of Zoonoses 4(2): 87-102
1977
ISSN/ISBN: 0377-0168 PMID: 23359 Document Number: 111740
Korean hemorrhagic fever was reported throughout the year even though 2 seasonal peaks appear; 1 in May-July and 1 in Oct.-Dec. Seasonal occurrence in 1976 showed an early summer peak as low as 38 cases (7.3%) and 77.4% in the late fall peak of the total 515 annual cases. Disease cases for a consecutive 6 yr period (1971-1976) showed 5.2% in the summer peak and 82.8% in the late fall peak of the total 1861 cases. Korean hemorrhagic fever cases appear to predominantly the age group 21-50 yr regardless of epidemic size, with 70% of all recorded cases being in this age group according to the 6 yr summary data. Six year statistical data showed the number of male cases were more than twice those of female cases. Case fatality was 9.9% of the total of 515 in 1976. Prior to 1976, case fatality was 8.2% in 1971-1973 and 9.3% in 1974-1976. There was no significant difference between male and female fatality. Korean hemorrhagic fever foci markedly spread toward south from the original endemic area near the 38th parallel and sporadic cases occurred in most areas of the Republic. There markedly endemic foci appeared in recent years; the most hyperendemic area is a DMZ area near the 38th parallel, the 2nd is situated southeast of the original endemic focus and the 3rd is Gang-Geung City. Highest disease incidences were found in people in agricultural or mountain areas.