scholarly journals Current Distribution and Status of Non-Native Freshwater Turtles in the Wild, Republic of Korea

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 4042 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyo Soung Koo ◽  
Soorim Song ◽  
Jae Hyeok Choi ◽  
Ha-Cheol Sung
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Human Factors ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Natural Habitat ◽  
Republic Of Korea ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Freshwater Turtles ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
The Republic

Globally, an increase in the transportation and expansion of the pet market is the most important cause of the invasion of non-native species. Invasion of non-native species disturbs native ecosystems and leads to socio-economic problems. The pet trade involving turtles has been globally recognized as the route through which non-native species enter ecosystems. As a result, the invasion of non-native turtles worldwide is causing problems such as competition, predation, transmission of parasites, and hybridization with native turtles. Every year, both the number of non-native turtles imported as pets in the Republic of Korea and the number of introduced species found in the wild is increasing. However, the current status of non-native turtles in the wild is not well known, posing major challenges to their management. In this study, we aimed to determine the current status of non-native turtles introduced into the wild in Korea. We analyzed the factors associated with the detection and distribution of non-native turtles. In total, 1587 of non-native turtles (three families, six genera, and 13 species including subspecies) were found in 648 sites in Korea: Chelydra serpentina, Mauremys sinensis, Chrysemys picta bellii, Graptemys ouachitensis, G. pseudogeographica pseudogeographica, G. p. kohni, Pseudemys concinna, P. nelsoni, P. peninsularis, P. rubriventris, Trachemys scripta elegans, T. s. scripta, and T. s. troostii. There was relationship between the distribution of non-native turtles and environmental factors such as precipitation and temperature. Moreover, human factors such as number of human populations and size of region were significantly related with the distribution and number of non-native turtles. In conclusion, it is likely that human factors are associated with the influx of invasive turtles to the natural habitat, while the possibility of survival and adaption for the turtles is associated mainly with environmental factors. Our result will be an essential guideline not only for understanding the current status of non-native turtles in Korea, but also for establishing strategies for management and control.

scholarly journals The impact of environmental variables on the spread of COVID-19 in the Republic of Korea

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong Kwan Lim ◽  
Oh Joo Kweon ◽  
Hye Ryoun Kim ◽  
Tae-Hyoung Kim ◽  
Mi-Kyung Lee
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
Republic Of Korea ◽  
Metropolitan Region ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Ozone Level ◽  
The Republic ◽  
The Impact

AbstractCorona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been declared a global pandemic and is a major public health concern worldwide. In this study, we aimed to determine the role of environmental factors, such as climate and air pollutants, in the transmission of COVID-19 in the Republic of Korea. We collected epidemiological and environmental data from two regions of the Republic of Korea, namely Seoul metropolitan region (SMR) and Daegu-Gyeongbuk region (DGR) from February 2020 to July 2020. The data was then analyzed to identify correlations between each environmental factor with confirmed daily COVID-19 cases. Among the various environmental parameters, the duration of sunshine and ozone level were found to positively correlate with COVID-19 cases in both regions. However, the association of temperature variables with COVID-19 transmission revealed contradictory results when comparing the data from SMR and DGR. Moreover, statistical bias may have arisen due to an extensive epidemiological investigation and altered socio-behaviors that occurred in response to a COVID-19 outbreak. Nevertheless, our results suggest that various environmental factors may play a role in COVID-19 transmission.

Evaluation of the Current Status of Malaria Elimination Project in the Republic of Korea and Suggestion for Improvement of Its Efficacy

2009 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 42
Author(s):  
Jae-Won Park ◽  
Jee-Young Hong ◽  
Joon-Sup Yeom ◽  
Sung-Rae Cho ◽  
Dae-Kyu Oh
Keyword(s):  
Malaria Elimination ◽  
Republic Of Korea ◽  
Current Status ◽  
The Republic

scholarly journals Non-native small terrestrial vertebrates in the Galapagos

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diego F Cisneros-Heredia
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Galapagos Islands ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Ecosystem Functions ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Tree Frog ◽  
Galápagos Islands ◽  
Species Introduction ◽  
Terrestrial Vertebrates ◽  
History Of

Humans have translocated thousands of species of flora, fauna and microorganisms to places they would never have reached on their own. Non-native species may have effects on biological communities, ecosystem functions and human populations. In island environments, the effects of spreading non-native species on native biodiversity can be severe and lead to native ecosystem transformation and even endemic species extinction. The Galapagos Islands are a region of particular interest and relevance to the issue of species introduction and invasiveness. In this paper, I analyse the current status of 25 non-native amphibians, reptiles and birds that have been reported in the Galapagos Islands. Six species have established self-sufficiently in Galapagos and may become invasive: Fowler’s snouted tree frog Scinax quinquefasciatus, common house gecko Hemidactylus frenatus, mourning gecko Lepidodactylus lugubris, dwarf gecko Gonatodes caudiscutatus, Peters’ leaf-toed gecko Phyllodactylus reissii, and smooth-billed ani Crotophaga ani. Domestic fowl Gallus gallus holds feral populations, which may have self-sufficient populations, but evidence is unclear. I provide information on the distribution and natural history of non-native species of amphibians, reptiles and birds in Galapagos, including new data about the introduction history of S. quinquefasciatus; evidence on the establishment of H. frenatus on Isabela and San Cristobal islands; the first published record of a non-native snake in Galapagos, Lampropeltis micropholis; the first evidence of predation on squamate reptiles by G. gallus in Galapagos; and evidence of a probable major impact by C. ani due to extensive predation on the endemic Galapagos carpenter bee Xylocopa darwini. I comment on the invasiveness and impact potential of non-native species in Galapagos, identify vulnerable islands for the arrival of non-native species, identify potential hitchhiker that could arrive in the future and propose that it is important to rethink about how we understand, manage and prevent introductions of non-native species. The new wave of introduced species in Galapagos is formed by small hitchhikers, species that are easily overlooked, may travel in high numbers and are highly linked to human-made environments.

scholarly journals Current Status of Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT) At a University-Affiliated Acute-Care Hospital in The Republic of Korea

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eunjeong Heo ◽  
Yoonhee Choi ◽  
Hyung-sook Kim ◽  
Hyung Wook Namgung ◽  
Eunsook Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Therapy ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Management Program ◽  
Republic Of Korea ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Tract Infections

Abstract Objectives The aim of this study was to describe current status of outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) at a tertiary care hospital in the Republic of Korea. Methods This retrospective study was conducted on outpatients and referral patients who had a prescription of parenteral antibiotics from July to December 2019. We reviewed the prescribed antimicrobials, the indication of antimicrobial therapy, where patients administered antimicrobial injection and management of pre- and post- prescriptions. Results Of the 577 episodes included in this study, 399 (69.2%) were delivered by referral model, 178 (30.8%) by outpatient model. About 70% of OPATs were prescribed in the pulmonology, infectious diseases, orthopedics, gastroenterology, and hematology departments. Five antibiotics (ertapenem (26.0%), ceftriaxone (12.8%), kanamycin (11.8%), amikacin (10.1%), and cefazolin (8.5%)) accounted for 69.2% of the total OPATs. Urinary tract infections (27.3%), respiratory infections (20.8%), and intra-abdominal infections (15.9%) are the most frequent indications of OPAT. After prescription, there were 295 (73.9%) follow-up visits in referral model and 150 (84.3%) in outpatient model (p<0.05). Laboratory tests necessary for monitoring were totally performed in 274 (47.5%). Conclusions We found that significant number of OPAT was prescribed, follow-up visits were not performed in about a quarter of episodes, and laboratory monitoring was not fully conducted in more than half of the cases. Therefore, it is necessary to establish an appropriate management program for OPAT. Considering limited resources and the distribution of OPAT prescriptions, it may be effective to select frequently used antibiotics or frequently prescribed departments and start the program for them.

scholarly journals Surveillance of Chigger Mite Vectors for Tsutsugamushi Disease in the Hwaseong Area, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea, 2015

2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (3) ◽  
pp. 301-308
Author(s):  
Young Yil Bahk ◽  
Hojong Jun ◽  
Seo Hye Park ◽  
Haneul Jung ◽  
Seung Jegal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Communicable Disease ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Republic Of Korea ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Wild Rodents ◽  
Chigger Mite ◽  
Tsutsugamushi Disease ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Abundance And Distribution

Owing to global climate change, the global resurgence of vector-borne infectious diseases and their potential to inflict widespread casualties among human populations has emerged as a pivotal burden on public health systems. Tsutsugamushi disease (scrub typhus) in the Republic of Korea is steadily increasing and was designated as a legal communicable disease in 1994. The disease is a mite-borne acute febrile disease most commonly contracted from October to December. In this study, we tried to determine the prevalence of tsutsugamushi disease transmitted by chigger mites living on rodents and investigated their target vector diversity, abundance, and distribution to enable the mapping of hotspots for this disease in 2015. A total of 5 species belonging to 4 genera (109 mites): Leptotrombidium scutellare 60.6%, L. pallidum 28.4% Neotrombicula tamiyai 9.2%, Euschoengastia koreaensis/0.9%), and Neoschoengastia asakawa 0.9% were collected using chigger mite collecting traps mimicking human skin odor and sticky chigger traps from April to November 2015. Chigger mites causing tsutsugamushi disease in wild rodents were also collected in Hwaseong for the zoonotic surveillance of the vector. A total of 77 rodents belonging to 3 genera: Apodemus agrarius (93.5%), Crocidura lasiura (5.2%), and Micromys minutus (1.3%) were collected in April, October, and November 2015. The most common mite was L. pallidum (46.9%), followed by L. scutellare (18.6%), and L. orientale (18.0%). However, any of the chigger mite pools collected from rodent hosts was tested positive for Orientia tsutsugamushi, the pathogen of tsutsugamushi disease, in this survey.

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