One Death and Multiple Patients with Abnormal Symptoms at Gangneung Medical Institution... Health Authorities Conducting Epidemiological Investigation

【Financial News Gangneung=Kim Kiseop Reporter】It was revealed that out of 8 patients who underwent pain relief procedures at a medical institution in Gangneung, 1 has died and 2 are in intensive care. Consequently, the Disease Control and Prevention Agency and Gangwon-do health authorities have launched an epidemiological investigation.
According to Gangwon Autonomous Province on the 5th, a report was received by the Gangneung Health Center regarding abnormal symptoms in multiple patients at the hospital in Gangneung, prompting Gangwon-do, the Infectious Disease Management Support Group, Gangneung City, and the Disease Control and Prevention Agency to form an investigation team and commence investigation from the 29th of last month.
As of 6 PM on the 4th, investigation results show that out of 8 patients who received procedures such as pain relief nerve block at the medical institution, 1 has died, 2 are in intensive care, 3 are in general wards, and the remaining 2 have been discharged. Health authorities are investigating the main cause of death.
These patients were admitted to other medical institutions for treatment due to severe pain, headache, decreased consciousness, and fever, and it was confirmed that most had Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) detected in their blood or cerebrospinal fluid. Staphylococcus aureus is a healthcare-associated infection but is not classified as a statutory infectious disease.
The investigation team conducted interviews with the medical staff of the institution to identify infection risk factors in injection and procedure preparation processes, secured 62 samples from the procedure room, and conducted tests at the Gangwon-do Institute of Health and Environment.
On the 4th, it was found that 3 cases of Staphylococcus aureus were detected among staff and 13 cases in the procedure room, and further genetic analysis has been requested from the Disease Control and Prevention Agency to verify causality with the medical institution.
Accordingly, the provincial health authorities have recommended the suspension of procedures at the medical institution, and the institution has been closed since the 1st.
Additionally, the Gangneung Health Center plans to investigate 269 patients who received the same procedure within the last 2 weeks for any health abnormalities such as fever, worsening pain, swelling, weakness in the lower limbs, or sensory loss.
A Gangwon-do health authority official stated, "We plan to quickly verify if there are additional patients by investigating the health status of patients with a history of the same procedure in cooperation with Gangneung City."


kees26@fnnews.com Kim Kiseop Reporter