Gwangmyeong Postpartum Care Center Employee Tests Positive for TB... Newborns and Staff to Be Screened in Full

Gwangmyeong City Public Health Center, KDCA and Gyeonggi Province Launch Joint Epidemiological Investigation
Designated Medical Institutions for Screening... Emergency Briefing for Guardians on October 17
Follow-Up Measures, Including Screening and Treatment Schedules, Announced

Health authorities have launched an emergency epidemiological investigation and follow-up measures after an employee at a postpartum care center in Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi Province, tested positive for tuberculosis.

Gwangmyeong City Hall. Photo provided by Gwangmyeong City.

According to Gwangmyeong City and health authorities on October 17, the employee recently had an abnormal finding on a chest X-ray during a national health screening. The employee underwent additional tests at a higher-level medical institution and received a final tuberculosis diagnosis on October 15.

After receiving the report, Gwangmyeong City Public Health Center immediately formed a joint epidemiological investigation team with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency's Capital Region Disease Response Center and Gyeonggi Province. Authorities held a meeting to discuss the scope of contact tracing and screening methods, and conducted an on-site inspection of the postpartum care center.

Newborns who came into contact with the employee during the period when the employee is believed to have been infectious are subject to screening. The city plans to arrange screening through designated medical institutions and connect newborns with any necessary treatment and care based on the results. Authorities are also investigating and screening other contacts, including employees of the postpartum care center.

On October 17, Gwangmyeong City Public Health Center held an emergency briefing for the parents and guardians of newborns at the postpartum care center. It explained how the tuberculosis case was identified, the contact-screening plan and the schedule for future monitoring, and answered questions.

A Gwangmyeong City Public Health Center official said, "We will promptly carry out necessary follow-up measures, including contact tracing and screening, and keep parents and guardians informed of developments." The official added, "We will make the health and safety of newborns our top priority and thoroughly implement the necessary measures and care."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.