11 Newborns Infected with Respiratory Syncytial Virus at Postpartum Care Center in Gyeonggi-do

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Gyeonggi Province has taken measures such as prohibiting new admissions and transfers at a postpartum care center in the southern part of the province after 11 newborns were collectively confirmed to be infected with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which can develop into pneumonia.

According to Gyeonggi Province on the 15th, two newborns who showed symptoms in early November at a postpartum care center in Gyeonggi were confirmed positive on the 10th and 11th, respectively. Additionally, an epidemiological investigation revealed that nine more newborns tested positive on the 14th.

Seven of the confirmed newborns are receiving treatment at a nearby hospital. The remaining four newborns are undergoing outpatient treatment.

A total of 92 people, including 34 newborns, visited the postpartum care center, and no additional confirmed cases beyond the infected newborns have been identified.

Following the outbreak, the province implemented isolation measures and an on-site epidemiological investigation on the 11th, and has since prohibited new admissions and transfers out of the care center until the monitoring period ends (10 days after the last confirmed case).

Furthermore, individuals who visited the postpartum care center have been advised to get tested if symptoms develop later, even if there is no epidemiological link.

This is the first cluster infection at a postpartum care center in the province in the second half of the year, following 2 cases in February, 5 in March, and 4 in April.

Respiratory syncytial virus infection is classified as a Class 4 infectious disease under acute respiratory infections. It mainly occurs from October to March and spreads through contact with secretions from infected individuals or respiratory droplets.

Clinical symptoms begin with a runny nose and pharyngitis, followed by cough, sneezing, mild fever, and wheezing within 1 to 3 days. In infants, severe cases can progress to bronchiolitis or pneumonia.

Preventive measures include proper handwashing, observing cough etiquette, avoiding touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands, avoiding contact with people showing cold symptoms, and not sharing toys, utensils, or cups.

Park Geon-hee, head of the Infectious Disease Management Support Team of the province, stated, "Respiratory syncytial virus can be fatal to newborns, so infection prevention rules must be followed not only in vulnerable facilities like postpartum care centers but also at home." He urged, "If symptoms appear, isolate the symptomatic newborns from those without symptoms and report to the local health center."

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