Event-based surveillance system and information sharing in the Republic of Korea

Noh Yoomi, Lee Jihee, Kim Inho, Lee Jia, Shin Insook, Chu Chaeshin, Park Ok
Division of Risk Assessment & International Cooperation, Center for Emergency Operations, KCDC

Emerging infectious diseases are becoming an even greater global public health threat due to the recent increase in population, urbanization, international trade, and travel. Subsequently, the public health of each country plays an important role in the global health security agenda. Considering that traditional indicator-based surveillance systems do not cover public health events that might turn into emergencies of international concern in time for an adequate response, event-based surveillance systems need to be strengthened in each country. To facilitate an early, rapid response, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention collects information, every day from various sources, on events that have the potential to become public health threats and rapidly assesses them. The KCDC shares this information regularly with stakeholders in both public and private sectors.

Keywords: Event-based surveillance, Rapid assessment, Public health threat