Virology Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Virology, including details on viruses, pathology, classification, definitions.

Influenza surveillance in Korea: establishment and first results of an epidemiological and virological surveillance scheme.

Lee JS, Shin KC, Na BK, Lee JY, Kang C, Kim JH, Park O, Jeong EK, Lee JK, Kwon JW, Park SC, Kim WJ

Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Inha University, Incheon, Korea.

SUMMARYSurveillance is an important component of influenza control. This report describes the establishment and first results of the Korean Influenza Surveillance Scheme (KISS), an integrated clinical and laboratory surveillance network involving 622 public health centres (PHCs) and private clinics. Sentinel physicians reported cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) weekly and forwarded specimens for virus isolation and characterization. Influenza activity during the opening 2000-2001 season was milder and delayed compared with previous years. The ILI consultation rate corresponded well with the number of influenza virus isolates, both peaking in week 10 of 2001. Influenza A(H3N2) was the dominant isolate. The peak ILI consultation rate was higher in private clinics than in PHCs (5.04 vs 1.79 cases/1000 visits). An evaluation questionnaire generated potential enhancements to the scheme. KISS appears to represent the pattern of influenza activity accurately and will have a valuable role in monitoring and preventing epidemics in Korea.

Published 21 September 2007 in Epidemiol Infect, 135(7): 1117-23.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2005-2008 Virology Research Today. All Rights Reserved.