Estimation of infectious disease incidence rate by comparing the number of imported infectious disease cases with the number of incoming travelers via direct flights to the Republic of Korea in 2017

Kim Inho, Park Ok
Division of Risk Assessment & International Cooperation, Center for Emergency Operations, KCDC
Cho Seounghee
Division of Infectious Disease Control, Center for Infectious Disease Control, KCDC
Jeong Kyeongsook, Park KijunDivision of Quarantine Support, Center for Infectious Disease Control, KCDC

The number of overseas travelers has been increasing rapidly because of the significant growth in travel and trade. Likewise, the number of infectious diseases imported to the Republic of Korea is also on the rise. In this study, we estimated the incidence rate of infectious diseases by comparing the number of imported infectious disease cases with the number of incoming travelers via direct flights. Overall, India, Myanmar, and Laos showed a higher incidence rate than other countries. Developed countries, including Japan, China, the USA, and Taiwan, showed relatively low incidence rates, even though a large number of travelers were from these countries. In contrast, Southeast Asian countries, such as the Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand, showed relatively high incidence rates and a large number of incoming travelers. Findings of this preliminary analysis can be applied in estimating the potential risk of imported infectious diseases from other countries to the Republic of Korea.

Keywords: Incidence, Imported infectious disease, Travel, Infectious diseases, Developed countries