Infectious Disease Patients Excluding COVID-19 Decreased by 6.6% Last Year... Dengue Fever and Malaria Increased

Last year, the number of reported cases of legally designated infectious diseases significantly increased due to the COVID-19 Omicron variant outbreak, but infectious diseases excluding COVID-19 decreased by 6.6%.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) announced on the 29th that it analyzed the status of legally designated infectious diseases reported through the Disease and Health Integrated System last year and published the "2022 Infectious Disease Report Annual." Among the 66 types of infectious diseases subject to comprehensive surveillance, 40 were reported last year.

The number of reported cases of legally designated infectious diseases last year reflected the COVID-19 pandemic, reaching 28,517,466, a significant increase compared to 669,478 in 2021. However, excluding COVID-19, the number of reported cases was 92,831, a 6.6% decrease from the previous year.

Exterior view of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. [Photo by Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency]

The major infectious diseases with increased reports excluding COVID-19 were dengue fever (3333%), malaria (42.9%), and CRE infections (31.1%). The major infectious diseases that decreased were hepatitis A (-71.3%), hepatitis B (-26.7%), hepatitis C (-17.9%), chickenpox (-11.4%), and tuberculosis (-11.3%).

The number of deaths caused by legally designated infectious diseases was 27,269. Excluding COVID-19 deaths, there were 872 deaths, a 68.7% increase compared to the previous year. The major infectious diseases causing deaths were CRE infections (539), acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (142), pneumococcal infections (56), and severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (40).

Director Ji Young-mi said, "As the incidence of malaria, tsutsugamushi disease, and other infections transmitted by vectors such as mosquitoes and ticks increased last year, we urge everyone to follow preventive measures to avoid mosquito and tick bites during outdoor activities."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.