Gyeonggi Health and Environment Research Institute to Monitor Vibrio Sepsis Bacteria Starting March

Promotional Poster for Vibrio Sepsis Surveillance Project by Gyeonggi-do Institute of Health and Environment

The Gyeonggi-do Institute of Health and Environment will conduct a 'Vibrio vulnificus Surveillance Project' at five sites along the western coast of Gyeonggi from this month until November.

The institute has been carrying out this surveillance project annually to prevent Vibrio vulnificus infections in advance, monitoring seawater and tidal flats at five locations: Gimpo, Siheung, Ansan, Hwaseong, and Pyeongtaek.

Analyzing 68 cases of Vibrio vulnificus detected during the 2018?2022 surveillance period, the institute explained that the bacteria were first detected in April each year as seawater temperatures rose and continued to be detected until October.

Nationwide, an average of about 50 Vibrio vulnificus infection patients occur annually, and from 2018 to 2022, 48 cases were reported in Gyeonggi-do.

The institute analyzed that the increase in Vibrio vulnificus detection and the number of patients are correlated with rising seawater temperatures.

Vibrio vulnificus infection is classified as a Class 3 infectious disease. The causative bacteria are known to infect individuals through consumption of contaminated raw seafood or contact of contaminated seawater with wounds.

For patients with liver disease, diabetes, alcoholism, or immunodeficiency, the disease is very serious, with a fatality rate of around 50%.

Park Yong-bae, director of the Gyeonggi-do Institute of Health and Environment, stated, "Along with investigating the distribution of Vibrio vulnificus along the western coast of Gyeonggi, we will continuously analyze patient occurrence characteristics and infection routes to thoroughly manage infectious diseases." He emphasized, "For high-risk groups, it is crucial to protect their health by ensuring seafood is cooked or thoroughly washed with tap water during periods when Vibrio vulnificus infections occur."

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