Antibiotic-Resistant Infections in Gyeonggi-do Surge 65% This Year

Gyeonggi Provincial Government Gwanggyo New Office Building

In the Gyeonggi region, infections caused by a type of antibiotic-resistant bacteria known as 'Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE)' have surged by approximately 65% this year.

Gyeonggi Province announced on the 28th that the number of reported CRE infection cases in 2022 was 7,026, a 52.8% increase from 4,529 cases in 2021. Outbreaks involving groups of 10 or more have also increased annually, with 11 cases in 2020, 38 in 2021, and 55 in 2022.

Notably, in January of this year alone, 749 cases were reported, marking a 64.9% increase compared to 453 cases during the same period last year. Among these, 82% (616 cases) were patients aged 65 or older, highlighting the need for heightened management of the elderly population.

The rise in CRE reports is believed to be due to improved awareness of reporting among medical institutions and increased utilization of healthcare facilities since CRE was designated as a monitored infectious disease in 2017.

Accordingly, the province has expanded the number of medical institutions participating in the sentinel surveillance system from 55 last year to 87 this year and is promoting consulting services targeting small and medium-sized hospitals and nursing hospitals vulnerable to infection control.

CRE refers to Enterobacteriaceae species resistant to carbapenem-class antibiotics.

CRE infections are transmitted through direct or indirect contact with healthcare-associated infections or carriers, as well as contaminated instruments, supplies, and environments. Due to limited antibiotic treatment options, CRE can cause various severe infections such as bloodstream infections, pneumonia, and urinary tract infections.

A representative from the Gyeonggi Infectious Disease Control Support Group stated, "To prevent healthcare-associated infections and curb their spread, thorough monitoring and prompt reporting are essential for identifying strains, isolation, and testing of contacts, requiring active infection control efforts by medical institutions."

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