INFORMING DECISION-MAKERS ON PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE TO PUBLIC HEALTH THREATS: EVENT-BASED SURVEILLANCE AND RAPID RISK ASSESSMENT OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES IN THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA

Abstract

Intro: Event-based surveillance (EBS) and rapid risk assessment (RRA) are essential tools for the early warning system against outbreaks, especially in the initial stages of an incident of potential public health threat. Since the Middle East respiratory syndrome outbreak in 2015, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) established EBS and RRA systems. This paper described KDCA's implementation of EBS and RRA to support the decision-making process for acute public health events. Methods: The process of EBS and RRA systems for potential public health threats occurring outside of Korea is described and potential barriers and challenges are discussed. Findings: EBS and RRA systems have been constantly utilized in Korea. One of the recent examples is the EBS and RRA activities for acute hepatitis of unknown etiology in children and the global monkeypox outbreak which provided the basis to establish timely surveillance and response systems. Discussion: EBS tends to rely heavily on access to timely information. The quality of information needs to be ensured through a verification process by trained personnel as the quality of information determines the credibility of EBS results. Efforts to strengthen the information coverage and enhance the quality of information are key elements of EBS and RRA. Standardized manuals and systematic implementation of the EBS and RRA enable a more accurate evaluation of the risk. The process of RRA also needs flexibility in the way the risk is estimated. Conclusion: Public health threats are more likely to be imported than before as exchanges among countries grow frequent due to the eased border control measures for COVID-19 in recent days. The EBS and RRA systems are essential tools for all countries to ensure a timely response. Efforts to improve access to timely information and to ensure the quality of information should be continuously made to improve EBS and RRA systems.