Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS) and Infectious Diseases of Military Significance in Korea

Abstract

Studies were conducted throughout Korea to better characterize the distribution of militarily important human infections. Antibodies to hantaviruses were demonstrated in 12-15% of urban and rural civilian adults; antibodies to scrub and murine typhus were detected in 11% and 45%. No antibodies to hepatitis A were detected in 40% of rural males age 20, 35% of ROK Military Academy cadets, and 20% of ROKA recruits surveyed. Examination of serum specimens from civilian and ROK military patients admitted with hemorrhagic manifestations continue to show that HFRS usually accounts for less than half of etiologic diagnoses, and the etiology remains unknown in a substantial portion. Most HFRS disease continues to occur in the fall, however a small number of cases occur throughout the year. Urban transmission of scrub typhus was recognized in rapidly developing areas, suggesting that R tsutsugamushi-infected chigger mites may persist with their rodent hosts in areas where urban development encroaches on former scrub habitat. An extensive geozoological survey found the risk to humans of acquiring a HTNV infection is highest in grassy or scrub areas. Hantavirus, Murine typhus, Scrub typhus, Spotted fever, Leptospirosis, Seroepidemiology, Hepatitis, Geozoological survey.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 21, 1993
Accession Number
ADA279908

Entities

People

  • Ho Wai Howard Lee
  • J. D. Arthur

Organizations

  • Korea University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Antigens
  • Army Personnel
  • Bunyaviridae Infections
  • Ecology
  • Health Services
  • Hepatitis
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Materials
  • Medical Personnel
  • Microbiology
  • Military Hospitals
  • Military Personnel
  • Scrub Typhus
  • Tickborne Diseases
  • Vaccines
  • Virus Diseases
  • Viruses

Readers

  • Immunology
  • Virology (or Medical Virology).