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Korea opens real-time infectious disease risk data to the public
A Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency researcher conducts pathogen testing in a laboratory at the agency in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, November 5, 2024. Courtesy of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency
By Lee Kyung-min
Korea is throwing open a once-internal system for tracking global outbreaks, giving the public a clear window into the risks of infectious diseases spreading across borders.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said Thursday that it began publishing weekly risk assessments for more than 15 infectious diseases on a public portal (https://dportal.kdca.go.kr), a move intended to bolster transparency and public safety.
The newly released data assess the risk of domestic inflow and the potential spread of diseases, including Ebola, Middle East respiratory syndrome, cholera, measles and dengue fever. To make the information more accessible, the agency is using visual tools designed to clarify complex risk levels at a glance.
Officials said the initiative reflects a growing public demand for timely health information as international travel rebounds and global outbreaks remain a persistent concern.
Previously, these analyses were reserved for internal use to guide quarantine measures and the designation of high-risk regions. By opening the data to the public, authorities aim to help travelers identify potential hazards before going abroad and enable medical institutions to respond more effectively to suspected cases.
Health centers and related agencies are also expected to use the shared data to coordinate responses, including epidemiological investigations. The portal provides risk assessments alongside supporting evidence and detailed descriptions for each disease, offering a standardized reference for both the public and health professionals.
“Publishing these analyses is a first step toward allowing the public to directly check and trust the risk levels of infectious diseases abroad,” it said. “We will continue to monitor global trends and provide systematic analysis to keep the country safe.”
This article was published with the assistance of generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.