Health authorities on Tuesday identified the bacteria that may have caused the collective pneumonia outbreak that took place at Konkuk University in Seoul and affected 55 students beginning from October.

According to the Health Ministry, the bacteria was identified as Saccharopolyspora rectivirgula, which causes hypersensitivity pneumonitis, an inflammation of the alveoli within the lung triggered by inhaled organic dust. The sufferers are known to have been commonly exposed to the dust during their work.

The students began to show symptoms after working at three laboratories at the College of Animal Bioscience and Technology building. The Health Ministry said it is thought that the patients developed pneumonia after inhaling the bacteria, which may have been contained in the dust and feedstuff for animals at the school. The bacteria was found in the patients’ clinical material and data.

The investigation team also found that the building’s ventilation system was not working properly when the outbreak took place in October. Authorities said it is possible that dust containing the bacteria spread across the building because of the ventilation failure.

It is the first time that a collective pneumonia outbreak linked with the particular bacteria has been reported in South Korea. To confirm that the bacteria was indeed the cause of the outbreak, the Health Ministry sent a sample of the microorganism from the labs to the U.S. for further epidemiological investigation. 

All of the patients had fully recovered and been released from hospitals as of Nov. 6. The 55 students made up 21.7 percent of all 254 students who were placed to research in the particular building. The property was forced to shut down in October and is still being investigated for other safety violations. 

By Claire Lee (dyc@heraldcorp.com)