[Results of the 2024-2025 Winter Cold Injury Surveillance]

This report presents in-depth analytical data to guide preparations for and responses to increased occurrence of cold injuries resulting from sudden temperature changes and increased cold snaps caused by climate change.

Since 2013, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) has been operating its Cold Injury Surveillance System to monitor occurrences of cold injuries. Data is collected from approximately 500 hospitals' operating emergency rooms in the Republic of Korea every winter (December to February of the following year). The 2024-2025 Seasonal Cold Injury Surveillance System receives daily reports of patients with cold injuries from 514 participating emergency rooms nationwide. These reports are submitted 24/7 through the Cold Injury Surveillance and Management System. The KDCA then identifies key characteristics of these illnesses, such as hypothermia and frostbite, and provides daily updates at 16:00 on its website.

During the monitoring period, 334 cases were reported, including eight presumed deaths. This represents 16.5% (66 patients) and 33.0% (4 deaths) decreases compared to the previous year (400 patients and 12 deaths). Those aged 65 years and older accounted for 54.8% (183 cases) of cold injuries occurrences and 87.5% (7 deaths) of fatalities. Hypothermia was the most common diagnosis, representing 80.2% (268 cases) of all cold injuries and 87.5% (7 deaths) of all fatalities.

Based on the high incidence and mortality rates of cold injuries among the elderly aged ≥65 years during this season, preventative measures will be aimed at this demographic. Methods will also be sought to enhance the efficacy of the 2025-2026 Cold Injury Surveillance System and increase the utility of its analysis results.