Hospitals in Romania reported 47,394 healthcare-associated infections in 2025, while another 22,918 cases were recorded in the first half of 2026

Hospitals in Romania reported 47,394 healthcare-associated infections in 2025, 5,437 more than in 2024, according to data from the National Institute of Public Health. The annual increase was approximately 13%, while another 22,918 cases were recorded nationwide in the first half of 2026.

The number of reports has risen steadily in recent years, from 40,084 cases in 2022 and 40,359 in 2023 to 41,957 in 2024. The microorganisms identified include Clostridioides difficile, influenza viruses and SARS-CoV-2, as well as antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Iași County was among the areas with numerous outbreaks, particularly in intensive care units.

The National Institute of Public Health warns that a higher number of reported cases does not automatically indicate a greater epidemiological risk. The statistics are influenced by the severity of patients’ conditions, the length of hospital stays, the complexity of treatments, laboratory capacity and the intensity of surveillance.

The issue returned to public attention after the Colectiv fire and the Serratia marcescens outbreak at “Sf. Maria” Hospital in Iași, where seven children died in 2025. The authorities are preparing uniform prevention rules, while reporting is expected to be digitalized through the SEMISS platform starting in 2027.