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2025 Vol.55, Issue 1 Preview Page

Original Article

Epidemiological Trends and Environmental Influences on Scrub Typhus in South Korea from 2001 to 2023
Chaewon Kim12
,
Nam-Hyuk Cho123*
1Department of Microbiology and immunology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
2Department of Biomedical Science, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
3Institute of Endemic Disease, Seoul National University Medical Research Center and Bundang Hospital, Seoul 13605, Republic of Korea
*chonh@snu.ac.kr
31 March 2025. pp. 42-53
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Abstract

Scrub typhus, a mite-borne disease caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi, has shown an increasing incidence in South Korea, with 143,035 cases reported between 2001 and 2023. This study analyzes trends and environmental factors influencing the dynamics of the disease. The results reveal a significant annual rise in cases, along with a shift toward earlier seasonal onset and a higher incidence in the southern provinces. Incidence was notably higher among elderly women, identifying them as a primary risk group. A positive correlation between climatic factors, including rising temperature and relative humidity, and increased cases suggests that these environmental changes may be contributing to shifts in seasonality and regional distribution. These findings highlights the need for targeted public health measures and continued research to mitigate scrub typhus risks.

Keywords
Scrub typhus
Orientia tsutsugamushi
Epidemiological changes
South Korea
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Information
  • Publisher :The Korean Society for Microbiology and The Korean Society of Virology
  • Publisher(Ko) :대한미생물학회‧대한바이러스학회
  • Journal Title :JOURNAL OF BACTERIOLOGY AND VIROLOGY
  • Volume : 55
  • No :1
  • Pages :42-53
  • Received Date : 2024-11-03
  • Revised Date : 2024-12-24
  • Accepted Date : 2025-01-09
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.4167/jbv.2025.55.1.042
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