Gyeonggi-do Reports 'Tuberculosis' Cases in Postpartum Care Centers... Testing Conducted for 44 Individuals

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] It has been confirmed that a nursing assistant working in the newborn room of a postpartum care center in Gyeonggi-do was infected with tuberculosis, prompting Gyeonggi-do to take immediate action.

Through an epidemiological investigation, the province is conducting rapid tuberculosis tests on 44 individuals who used the newborn room during the possible infection period, and plans to hold an online briefing session for guardians to help them understand the treatment process.

According to Gyeonggi-do on the 16th, nursing assistant B, who works at postpartum care center A, showed suspected signs of tuberculosis in a chest X-ray examination conducted on the 9th for the issuance of a health checkup certificate. B had no usual symptoms of tuberculosis.

The next day, on the 10th, B was also suspected of tuberculosis in a chest CT scan and the hospital reported the case. Infectious diseases must be reported immediately to the Integrated Disease Management System managed by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency by the medical institution where the case occurs.

On the 13th, B was finally diagnosed positive for tuberculosis through a PCR test at a higher-level hospital. The tuberculosis smear test was negative. When B joined in September 2020, the chest X-ray showed normal results with no signs of tuberculosis.

Upon receiving B’s positive tuberculosis diagnosis, Gyeonggi-do immediately formed an epidemiological investigation team in cooperation with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency’s Metropolitan Disease Response Center and the Yongin Suji Public Health Center to conduct an on-site investigation. After holding a countermeasure meeting with experts, they prepared and implemented rapid response measures including the scope of contact investigation, screening methods, and follow-up actions.

Considering that newborns are contacts, the province decided to conduct tuberculosis and latent tuberculosis tests on 44 individuals by applying the infectious period (4 weeks prior to the test date).

On the afternoon of the 16th, the province sent related guidance messages to guardians and is providing individual telephone guidance.

The government and local governments will cover the costs of testing and treatment for these individuals. Treatment will be handled by medical staff from Bundang Seoul National University Hospital, Bundang CHA Hospital, and Suwon St. Vincent’s Hospital.

Additionally, to alleviate guardians’ anxiety and help them understand the epidemiological investigation and treatment process, an online briefing session featuring a pediatric infectious disease expert will be held at 8 p.m. on the 16th.

Meanwhile, the province reported that after conducting chest X-ray examinations on 28 workers at the postpartum care center, no additional patients were found.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.