Health authorities have launched an epidemiological investigation after abnormal symptoms appeared in patients who received treatment for back pain at a medical institution in Gangneung, Gangwon Province.
On August 5, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province announced that it had formed an epidemiological investigation team and is conducting a related investigation based on a report received by the Gangneung Public Health Center on July 28. The report stated that "multiple patients who underwent procedures to relieve back pain at a medical institution in Gangneung developed abnormal symptoms." Relevant organizations, including Gangneung City, the Provincial Infectious Disease Management Support Group, and the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, are participating in the investigation.
According to the province, after receiving nerve block procedures and other back treatments for pain relief at the medical institution, eight patients experienced severe pain, headaches, decreased consciousness, and fever. They were hospitalized at other medical institutions, and most were found to have methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) in their blood or cerebrospinal fluid. Staphylococcus aureus is not classified as a legally notifiable infectious disease in the context of healthcare-associated infections.
Of the eight patients who exhibited abnormal symptoms, two are currently in intensive care, three are in general wards, and two have been discharged. Unfortunately, one patient has died. The cause of death is currently under investigation.
The epidemiological investigation team has conducted interviews with medical staff regarding injectable drugs and procedural preparations at the medical institution to identify infection risk factors. They have also collected 62 samples from the procedure room, equipment, and medical staff to assess any epidemiological links to healthcare-associated infections.
According to tests conducted by the Provincial Institute of Health and Environment, Staphylococcus aureus was detected in three samples from staff and 13 environmental samples at the medical institution. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency has been requested to conduct genetic analysis to further determine any causal relationship with the medical institution.
Following the health authorities' recommendation to suspend procedures, the medical institution has been closed since August 1. The Gangneung Public Health Center is initially identifying 269 people who received the same procedure within the past two weeks and will gradually expand the scope to investigate whether they are experiencing symptoms such as fever, worsening pain, or sensory loss.
An official from the province stated, "We will do our best to monitor for additional cases and investigate the health status of those who have a history of receiving the same procedure, in cooperation with Gangneung City."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
