The Scrub Typhus Incidence Rate of Agricultural Workers in South Korea: Using Farmers’ Safety Insurance Data

Abstract

Objectives: We investigated the incidence rate of Scrub typhus in farmers. Methods: Data were obtained from 2016 to 2021 in the farmers’ safety insurance from NongHyup Life Insurance. The incidence was defined as a newly diagnosed patients with Scrub typhus in 2016-2020. The incidence rate was confirmed by sex, age and administrative districts. Results: The age-standardized incidence rate of Scrub typhus was 115 per 100,000 people from 2016 to 2020. The crude rate was presented to be 8.9, 43.8, 79.9, 127.2, 156.3, and 174.3 per 100,000 people, respectively, in the 40s to 80s or over. According to administrative districts, the highest crude rate was 201.6 and 193.0 per 100,000 people in Jeonnam and Gyeongnam, respectively, and the lowest crude rate was 6.0 per 100,000 people in Gangwon. And the monthly incidence was 54.3% in November and 32.0% in October, concentrated in autumn. Conclusions: The age-standardized incidence rate of Scrub typhus in Korea was 115.1 per 100,000 people, and it occurred more frequently in the southern regions in terms of administrative districts and increased with age. Based on this, it is thought that it will be helpful in establishing a management plan to prevent Scrub typhus.