Infection control is defined as the policies and procedures that are used to minimize the risk of spreading infections, particularly in hospitals and human or animal health care facilities. The main purpose of the infection control process is the reduction of the occurrence of infectious diseases. These diseases are usually caused due to the presence of bacteria or viruses and can further spread through human contact, animal to human contact, human contact with an infected surface, airborne transmission and through vectors such as water or food. Different forms of infections can occur including lung and respiratory infections, skin infections and many others.
According to Verified Market Research, the global infection control market was valued at $17.86 billion in 2018 and is projected to reach $29.58 billion by 2026, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5 percent from 2019 to 2026.
In the report, the market outlook section mainly encompasses the fundamental dynamics of the market which include drivers, restraints, opportunities and challenges faced by the industry.
“The growing number of surgical procedures, increasing geriatric population and rising incidence of chronic diseases along with the technological advancements in sterilization equipment have been driving the global infection control market. On the contrary part, safety concerns regarding the reprocessed instruments might act as a restraint for the overall market,” according to Verified Market Research.
MarketsandMarkets also predicts continued growth in the infection control market.
“The infection control market is projected to reach $27.5 billion by 2024 from $20.0 billion in 2019, at a CAGR of 6.6 percent during the forecast period. The infection control market is largely driven by the high incidence of HAIs and SSIs; the increasing number of surgical procedures worldwide, the rapidly growing pharmaceutical, life science and medical device industry; and the growing need for food sterilization,” according to MarketsandMarkets.
The endoscope reprocessing products segment, disinfectant sprays segment and the UV-ray disinfectors segment are all expected to fuel growth.
“Based on products and services, the endoscope reprocessing products segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. This can be attributed to the growing importance of diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy procedures, advanced technologies, reasonably stable reimbursement scenario and concerns regarding patient-to-patient cross-infection caused due to improper endoscope reprocessing,” according to MarketsandMarkets.
“Disinfectant sprays – used in fogging of hospital rooms and operation theaters – are increasingly being adopted due to its ease of handling and effectiveness in serving the purpose of room and surface disinfection,” according to MarketsandMarkets.
The MarketsandMarkets report also predicts that North America will be a strong growth area.
“Geographically, the infection control market has been studied for North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. North America is expected to dominate the infection control market during the forecast period,” according to MarketsandMarkets. “This is driven by the growing demand for health care services (owing to an anticipated surge in the geriatric population in the coming years and the subsequent increase in the prevalence of chronic diseases) and the need for infection control to minimize the prevalence of HAIs and the cost incurred due to HAIs. Many leading players are focusing on technological innovations and marketing collaborations to strengthen their presence and sustain their shares in the North American infection control market.”