[Results of the Joint Task Force for Respiratory Infectious Diseases During the Winter of 2023]

During the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, no outbreaks of other respiratory infectious diseases occurred. However, with the easing of quarantine measures in the latter half of 2022, several respiratory illnesses including influenza, Mycoplasma pneumonia, Bordetella pertussis, and measles began to spread simultaneously. In response, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) closely monitored the situation through meetings with the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters and expert briefings. In early December, the KDCA established the "Joint Task Force for Respiratory Infectious Diseases" in collaboration with both public and private sectors. As part of the task force's initiatives, the criteria for medical care benefits for M. pneumoniae treatment were expanded to support patient care. Additionally, in collaboration with relevant academic societies, the "Guidelines for Antibiotic Treatment of Macrolide-resistant M. pneumoniae in Children" were updated. The KDCA also strengthened the management of antibiotics and hospital bed availability in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Furthermore, field inspections were conducted in vulnerable schools, daycare centers, kindergartens, and medical institutions considered vulnerable, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and the MOHW, to prevent the spread of respiratory infections during the winter. Thanks to the rapid and coordinated efforts among the relevant ministries and the medical community, the simultaneous outbreaks of various respiratory infectious diseases did not escalate into a major public health crisis. Drawing on the experience of the "Joint Task Force for Respiratory Infectious Diseases", the KDCA plans to enhance the monitoring of community outbreaks of respiratory diseases and strengthen collaborative efforts with relevant ministries. The focus will be on high-risk groups and facilities particularly susceptible to infections, aiming to improve preparedness and response capabilities.