[Strategies for Improving Infectious Disease Surveillance Systems in Temporary Housing Facilities during...

Global warming-induced climate change is accelerating extreme weather events worldwide, which is particularly evident in the increasing frequency and intensity of heavy rainfall. This study aimed to analyze the occurrence of infectious diseases in temporary housing facilities established during heavy rainfall events in the Chungcheong region in 2023 and 2024 and to identify the shortcomings of the current surveillance system while proposing improvements. The study found that local senior centers and community centers were primarily used as temporary housing facilities; however, critical information on environmental risk factors was not systematically collected, specifically data on ventilation systems and hygiene standards were lacking. Furthermore, comprehensive age-related data on the housing facilities population were lacking, making it challenging to assess the vulnerability of high-risk groups, such as the elderly. In 2023, one temporary housing facilities reported that eight out of 25 residents tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019, likely owing to transmission within the facility. However, similar cases were not observed in other housing facilities, which limits the generalizability of these findings. Ultimately, the current surveillance system showed considerable limitations in effectively responding to infectious disease outbreaks owing to incomplete data collection and inconsistent reporting. Therefore, it is essential to establish an information system that facilitates faster data collection and reporting between local and central governments. This study is expected to serve as a foundational resource for future disaster preparedness planning and improvement of infectious disease response systems.