title: Epidemiology of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in endemic area of the Republic of Korea, 1995-1998.
abstract: We conducted an epidemiologic study to understand temporal and spatial patterns of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in the Republic of Korea (ROK). We estimated the incidence among civilians in endemic areas through the active surveillance system during the major epidemic periods, from September to December, between 1996 and 1998. We also estimated the prevalence among Korean military personnel from 1995 to 1998. In addition, we assessed seroprevalence, subclinical infection rate, and vaccination rates in both civilians and military personnel. The incidence in civilians ranged from 2.1 to 6.6 per 100, 000 person-months. The annual prevalence in the military personnel was 40-64 per 100, 000 military populations, and remained generally constant throughout the study period with seasonal variation. This is the prospective epidemiologic data set on HFRS in the ROK since the inactivated Hantaan virus vaccine was licensed for use in the late 1990s. These results will be invaluable in establishing a national immunization program against HFRS.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, Korea University, College of Medicine, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Joon Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Byung Chul
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Chun
authors.forename: Soon Duck
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Luck Ju
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Baek
authors.forename: Sang-Hoon
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jang Wook
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Sohn
authors.forename: Hee Jin
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Cheong
authors.forename: Woo Joo
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Seung Chul
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Min Ja
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006480:Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007723:Korea; D008889:Military Personnel; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012621:Seasons; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data