Busan City Operates 'Cold-Related Illness Emergency Room Surveillance System'

December 1 to February 28 Next Year: 36 Medical Institutions Monitor and Provide Information on Cold-Related Illness Occurrences

Daily Status Collected During Surveillance Period... To Be Provided Daily via KDCA Website

Busan City will operate the ‘Cold-Related Illness Emergency Room Surveillance System’ from December 1st to February 28th next year to minimize damage caused by cold waves during the winter season.

The ‘Cold-Related Illness Emergency Room Surveillance System’ is a system designed to quickly identify the occurrence status and key characteristics of cold-related illnesses by registering and monitoring patients visiting emergency rooms in the Integrated Disease and Health Management System.

‘Cold-related illness’ refers to diseases caused directly by cold that harm the human body, broadly classified into systemic (hypothermia) and localized (frostbite, chilblains, etc.) illnesses. Since prevention is possible, it is important to familiarize oneself with preventive measures and response methods in advance.

According to the operation results of the nationwide cold-related illness surveillance system by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency for the 2023?2024 season, a total of 400 patients (estimated 12 deaths) were reported, which is a 10.5% (47 cases) decrease compared to the 2022?2023 season.

In the 2023?2024 season, 17 cold-related illness cases (1 death) were reported at medical institutions located in the city, marking a 41.7% increase compared to the 12 cases reported in the 2022?2023 season.

Among the 17 cold-related illness patients, 14 had hypothermia and 3 had superficial frostbite, with hypothermia accounting for the largest proportion at 82.4%.

A total of 36 medical institutions will participate in operating this year’s cold-related illness emergency room surveillance system, monitoring the occurrence status daily and providing status information.

Compared to the previous season’s operation, one more medical institution has joined, so the surveillance system is expected to operate more meticulously than last year.

The daily status collected during the surveillance system operation period will be provided daily through the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency’s website.

Additionally, a pilot operation of the surveillance system will be conducted from the 25th to the 30th. (Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency → Policy Information → Climate Change → Cold Wave → Report Status)

Lee Sora, Director of the City’s Citizen Health Bureau, stated, “Since a cold wave is expected this winter, we plan to operate the surveillance system more thoroughly than last year.” She added, “We ask citizens to pay special attention to cold-related illnesses, avoid outdoor activities during cold waves as much as possible, and take care to keep warm by wearing scarves and gloves when going outside.”

Cold Wave Preparedness Health Guidelines. Provided by Busan City