"Be Cautious of Summer Infectious Diseases Alongside COVID-19" Emergency Quarantine System in Operation Until Early October

▲Cholera bacteria. [Photo by Asia Economy DB]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] Hepatitis A, an infectious disease that causes fever, loss of appetite, vomiting, and jaundice, had 17,598 cases reported domestically last year. Most cases occur during the summer. Between May and September last year, 11,800 cases were reported, accounting for about two out of every three cases.

In addition to Hepatitis A, waterborne and foodborne infectious diseases such as bacillary dysentery, typhoid fever, paratyphoid fever, enteroinvasive Escherichia coli infection, and cholera are common in the summer. This is because rising temperatures facilitate the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms, and increased outdoor activities lead to more outbreaks. Diseases classified as Class 4 infectious diseases, including Salmonella infections, Vibrio parahaemolyticus infections, and norovirus infections, which are gastrointestinal infections, also mainly occur in the summer.

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) on the 1st, over the past three years, 31,561 patients have been reported from outbreaks of these waterborne and foodborne infectious diseases. Among them, 18,831 patients, nearly 60%, were reported between May and September. An outbreak refers to cases where two or more people with a connection in time or place experience gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea or vomiting. From today until October 4, the KDCA will operate an emergency quarantine duty system nationwide in cooperation with city, county, and district health centers.

Waterborne and Foodborne Infectious Diseases Recent Outbreak Status

Waterborne and foodborne infectious diseases are mainly transmitted through contaminated water and food. Transmission can occur not only from patients but also from asymptomatic carriers through contaminated food or water with their excreta, or food prepared by infected individuals. Typhoid fever can be transmitted through food carelessly handled by asymptomatic carriers, and bacillary dysentery can be contracted from very few bacteria, so it is best to avoid contact with patients or carriers. Cholera, once considered a disease of the past, has had eight reported cases in the last three years, including one last year. All were imported cases from overseas.

When cases of outbreak infectious diseases occur, rapid reporting and proper initial response are ensured by maintaining a 24-hour operation system. If an outbreak occurs, medical personnel, symptomatic individuals, or restaurant owners should report to the nearest health center. With information about the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) widely disseminated recently, basic infectious disease prevention rules are well known. Washing hands with running water for more than 30 seconds is important. Additionally, drinking safe water and consuming cooked food are essential. Individuals with diarrhea symptoms should avoid preparing food.

Jung Eun-kyung, director of the KDCA, stated, "When two or more people have diarrheal infectious diseases, they should immediately report to the nearest health center," and added, "To prevent waterborne and foodborne infectious diseases, it is important to follow prevention rules such as consuming boiled or cooked safe water and food, and washing hands."

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