Healthcare need alliances with other sectors: Korea's experience

Abstract

Introduction : Due to various reasons, emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), varient Creutzfeldt-Jacob Disease(v-CJD), and Avian Influenza(AI), are steadily increasing and threatening human health. In recent years, epidemiology, medicine and veterinary cooperation are needed for rapid disease control and treatment because of some EID is a zoonosis. Description of policy context and objective : In order for fast control of EIDs that may be lethal to those with chronic illnesses, it is necessary to identify the area (urban or rural), the infected person, close contact person and moving route. Information Technology (IT) can be leveraged to identify by linking data from multiple institutions. Target population : Korean population Highlights : Korea quickly controlled MERS-CoV by identifying, tracking, and isolating the infected person through various institutional information exchange using IT. The government exchanged data with the following agencies: - Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Korea (KCDC) for epidemiological investigations - Korea Immigration Service to identify inbound travelers from high risk regions - Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA): Health insurance medical records - Healthcare providers: Health insurance medical records Comments on transferability: In order to exchange information with other agencies in a timely manner, a basic infrastructure configuration is required. Conclusion : From May 20 to July 4 in 2015, 186 people were diagnosed MERS-CoV, of whom 38 died. Most of the mortalities were the elderly. A respiratory infectious disease with incubation period can spread quickly in daily life, so identifying infected persons or close-contacts is a priority for disease control. Information sharing can be very useful in controlling infectious diseases.