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Fourteen infections linked to Changwon facility
South Korean health authorities are investigating a hepatitis C cluster at a hemodialysis clinic in Changwon, a city in the southeastern province of South Gyeongsang. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and provincial officials said 14 people — 13 patients and one health care worker — have tested positive.
Local authorities first received reports involving two patients Sept. 14. While investigating another case reported by a different medical facility Oct. 1, officials learned the patients had used the same dialysis clinic. Authorities began investigating the facility Oct. 6.
Testing of all patients and employees who had used or worked in the dialysis unit since June identified the 14 infections. Most of those infected have no symptoms, and no severe complications have been reported. All patients using the unit had tested negative in a routine hepatitis C antibody screening June 1.
Investigators examine medical practices
Authorities are conducting genetic analyses of samples from the dialysis unit and infected individuals. They are also reviewing patients' dialysis records, staff movements, medication use and closed-circuit television footage for possible infection risks during medical procedures.
Those infected have been connected with medical providers for evaluation and treatment. Officials asked the clinic to monitor their condition daily and keep patients and their families informed. About 50 dialysis-unit and nursing employees received infection-control training Oct. 14 and Oct. 20.
National and provincial authorities have held three response meetings since Oct. 8 with government agencies and specialists in infectious diseases, gastroenterology and kidney medicine. Local health officials plan to continue inspecting the clinic's infection-control practices and monitoring for additional cases.
National warning to dialysis providers
Hepatitis C is a viral infection transmitted through an infected person's blood. It does not spread through ordinary contact such as sharing a meal or shaking hands.
Kwon Geun-yong, an infectious disease official at the national health agency, said additional transmission appeared unlikely because all patients and workers potentially exposed during the suspected period had been tested and prevention measures were being followed.
The agency urged dialysis providers nationwide to enforce hand hygiene and glove use, manage medical equipment separately for each patient, prepare medications in designated clean areas and thoroughly disinfect equipment and nearby surfaces.
South Korea is also offering free hepatitis C antibody screening this year to people born in 1970 who are eligible for the national health examination program, along with RNA testing for those whose antibody results are positive.
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