J Bacteriol Virol.  2016 Jun;46(2):104-107. 10.4167/jbv.2016.46.2.104.

Emerging Infectious Diseases Require Biosafety Awareness and Procedures

• Lee KM
• Jang WJ
• Choi YJ
• Park KH

• KMID: 2327906
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4167/jbv.2016.46.2.104

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.

Keyword

Healthcare worker; Biosafety; Risk assessment; Middle East respiratory syndrome; Infectious diseases outbreak

MeSH Terms

Communicable Diseases, Emerging*
Coronavirus Infections
Cross Infection
Delivery of Health Care
Humans
Korea
Risk Assessment
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome

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