Emerging Infectious Diseases Require Biosafety Awareness and Procedures.
10.4167/jbv.2016.46.2.104
- Author:
Kyung Min LEE
1
;
Won Jong JANG
;
Yeon Joo CHOI
;
Kyung Hee PARK
Author Information
1. Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea. kyunghee.park@kku.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Brief Communication
- Keywords:
Healthcare worker;
Biosafety;
Risk assessment;
Middle East respiratory syndrome;
Infectious diseases outbreak
- MeSH:
Communicable Diseases, Emerging*;
Coronavirus Infections;
Cross Infection;
Delivery of Health Care;
Humans;
Korea;
Risk Assessment;
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
- From:Journal of Bacteriology and Virology
2016;46(2):104-107
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
In 2015, there was a Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) outbreak in Korea. Interestingly, most of the cases were nosocomial infection and significant numbers of healthcare workers (HCWs) were infected. There were various causes, but this study focused on HCWs and their ability to self-protect from infectious materials. HCWs did not receive sufficient instruction or training on biosafety, including how to use personal protection equipment and risk assessment at the beginning of the outbreak. Previous experience from an outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome or Ebola showed that HCWs must self-protect from infection sources, but HCW infection occurred again with this MERS outbreak. Therefore, the concept of biosafety self-protection must be emphasized so that HCWs can protect themselves from diseases and avoid spreading them.
