Canine adenovirus type 2 (CAV-2) is the cause of a major respiratory illness in dogs. In this study, we analyzed adenovirus infections in dogs using 2000–2017 data from the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA) and conducted a serological survey of CAV-2 infection in six animal species in Korea. In total, 38 of the 3,179 dog samples were confirmed as canine adenovirus infections. In serological survey, 1,028 dog sera, 160 raccoon dog sera, 100 cattle sera, 257 sow sera, 206 horse sera, and 106 cat sera, collected from January 2016 to July 2018, were screened for the presence of anti-CAV-2 antibodies by virus neutralization test. The seropositivity rates for dogs, raccoon dogs, cattle, sows, horses, and cats were 88.5% (910/1,028), 51.3% (82/160), 85.0% (85/100), 48.6% (125/257), 35.0% (72/206), and 2.8% (3/106), respectively. Among dogs and raccoon dogs, 1.9% (20/1,028) and 8.8% (14/160), respectively, had a virus-neutralizing antibody (VNA) titer of over 1:256. A high CAV-2 VNA titer indicates a repeated vaccination or natural infection in Korean dogs and circulation of CAV-2 in raccoon dog populations.
Adenoviridae Infections ; Adenoviruses, Canine* ; Animals* ; Antibodies ; Cats ; Cattle ; Dogs ; Horses ; Incidence* ; Korea ; Neutralization Tests ; Plants ; Quarantine ; Raccoon Dogs ; Vaccination

The alert regarding the emergence of novel influenza was issued by the WHO on April 24th, and the government has taken immediate actions to respond to the situation since then. Based on the presumption that a pandemic was imminent, countermeasures for the H1N1 influenza pandemic have been prepared by establishing and implementing effective public health crisis strategies over the past few years. Our main strategy during the pandemic influenza crisis has shifted in accord with the corresponding National Disaster Phases. In the Caution (Containment) Phase, our main goal was to contain the influx of disease from overseas. We focused on measures such as entry screening and quarantine inspection while monitoring travelers arriving from affected countries. In the Alert Phase I, our aim was deceleration and prevention of secondary community outbreaks through enhanced early detection. We intensified our surveillance and response system for possible mass outbreaks. During Alert Phase II, as the influenza had spread widely, our tactics switched to minimizing social and economic impact and preventing severe cases with early administration of antiviral agents, especially among high-risk patients. In the current Severe Phase, we are trying to reduce mortality cases with intensive care. Since we have implemented mass vaccination, we predict an early termination of the pandemic.
Antiviral Agents ; Critical Care ; Containment of Biohazards ; Deceleration ; Disasters ; Disease Outbreaks ; Humans ; Influenza, Human ; Mass Screening ; Mass Vaccination ; Pandemics ; Public Health ; Quarantine ; Vaccination

PURPOSE: Rabies is one of the most fatal diseases, but it is 100% preventable in animals by vaccination. In this study, we present the epidemiological features of, and national preventive measures against, rabies in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data related to rabies and the population density of raccoon dogs in Korea were collected from the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, the Korean Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Institute of Environmental Research. Rabies diagnosis was confirmed with a fluorescent antibody test using brain samples of animals in accordance with the procedures described by the World Organization for Animal Health. Serological assays for dogs and cattle were conducted using the fluorescent antibody virus neutralization test. RESULTS: From 1993 to 2016, a total of seven human rabies cases and 437 animal rabies cases in five different species were reported. An increase in the distribution of bait vaccine seemed to be related to a dramatic decrease in rabies prevalence in endemic rabies regions. Two Korean provinces and the capital city, Seoul, were involved in rabies outbreaks. Korean rabies strains are most closely related to the eastern Chinese strain belonging to the Arctic-like lineage. The yearly seropositive rates ranged from 50.4% to 81.2% in dogs and from 25% to 60.5% in cattle residing in endemic rabies regions. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that national preventive measures, including mass vaccination and distribution of bait vaccines, have contributed to a substantial decrease in the number of rabies cases in Korea.
Animals ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Brain ; Cattle ; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.) ; Diagnosis ; Disease Eradication ; Disease Outbreaks ; Dogs ; Epidemiology ; Humans ; Korea* ; Mass Vaccination* ; Neutralization Tests ; Plants ; Population Density ; Prevalence ; Quarantine ; Rabies* ; Raccoon Dogs ; Seoul ; Vaccination ; Vaccines