How to Manage a Public Health Crisis and Bioterrorism in Korea

The recent increase in international trade and travel has resulted in an increase in direct public health crisis. The 2009 pandemic influenza provided a clear-cut picture of the impact of an emerging infectious disease to the world, which is why the World Health Organization recommended each of its member state to provide the national pandemic influenza preparedness and response plan [1]. In Korea, the pandemic influenza manual with mathematical models was prepared in 2006 with tabletop exercise and sensitivity analysis of the parameters [2]. The efforts taken to prepare the report turned out to be useful when Korea encountered a real situation in 2009. Laboratory scientists traced the pathogenesis and chronological localization of influenza A (H1N1) [3], and also investigated the antiviral resistance rate in Korea in due course [4] as specified in the manual. A previous study reported on the model for estimating influenza patients from influenza-like illness surveillance data in Korea [5]. However, when it comes to another aspect of public health crisis, or biothreats, a different approach is needed, and this approach requires more precise preparation. Such an approach also involves partnering with more agencies; in particular, the Ministry of National Defense would be a key partner while dealing with this artificial upcoming disaster, and international collaboration is more important than any other public health crisis caused by emerging infectious diseases. In the current issue of the Osong Public Health and Research Perspectives journal, two reports are dealing with public health crisis in Korea. The paper by Kim et al deals with the current situation to prepare for a biothreat in Korea. The AR13 is a functional exercise on biothreat that was held from June 19, 2013 to June 20, 2013. The Senior Leadership Seminar was held in June 21, 2013, to discuss opinions of multiple ministries and agencies as well as areas of improvement