Objectives This study aimed to strengthen the core capabilities of epidemiological investigation and response teams (ERTs) at the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, drawing on lessons learned from the Middle East respiratory syndrome and coronavirus disease 2019 pandemics. The primary objectives were to facilitate rapid and accurate data collection and analysis, improve communication skills, and simulate real-world on-site responses. Methods: The training program was developed using a scenario involving a novel infectious disease from the World Health Organization priority list entering a community. ERTs collected and analyzed epidemiological data and implemented control measures as they addressed the missions of the scenario. Improvement in competencies was assessed through self-evaluation surveys completed before and after training. Results: A total of 49 participants, including disease control officers, epidemiological investigation officers, researchers, and administrative officials, attended the training. Participant satisfaction with the training was high, scoring 6.4 out of 7, and the improvement in competency was statistically significant (pre-training score, 5.2; post-training score, 6.2; p<0.001). Conclusion: Scenario-based training can effectively enhance the capabilities of ERTs. Such training is essential, as emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases can exhibit unpredictable spread and potentially severe impacts. Therefore, developing diverse scenarios and conducting regular training sessions are necessary to improve the capacities of ERTs.
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중앙 및 지자체역학조사반의 현장 역학조사 훈련 수요 조사 유연 김, 미 유, 진 이, 호경 송, 은경 김 Public Health Weekly Report.2026; 19(31): 1324. CrossRef
Shin Young Park, Gawon Choi, Hyeyoung Lee, Na-young Kim, Seon-young Lee, Kyungnam Kim, Soyoung Shin, Eunsu Jang, YoungSin Moon, KwangHwan Oh, JaeRin Choi, Sangeun Lee, Young-Man Kim, Jieun Kim, Seonju Yi, Jin Gwack, Ok Park, Young Joon Park
Osong Public Health Res Perspect 2020;11(4):259-264. Published online August 31, 2020
<p>This study describes the epidemiological characteristics of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) based on reported cases from long-term care facilities. As of April 20<sup>th</sup>, 2020, 3 long-term care facilities in a metropolitan area of South Korea had reported cases of COVID-19. These facilities’ employees were presumed to be the sources of infection. There were 2 nursing hospitals that did not report any additional cases. One nursing home had a total of 25 cases, with an attack rate of 51.4% (95% CI 35.6–67.0), and a fatality rate of 38.9% (95% CI 20.3–61.4) among residents. The results from this study suggest that early detection and maintenance of infection control minimizes the risk of rapid transmission.</p>
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