Gangjin-gun Operates 'Cold-Related Illness Emergency Room Surveillance System'

Published 06 Dec.2021 10:15(KST)

Continuous Monitoring of Cold-Related Illness Patients Until February Next Year

Exterior view of Gangjin Public Health Center ? Asia Economy

[Gangjin＝Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-su] The Gangjin County Health Center in Jeollanam-do announced on the 6th that it will operate the ‘Cold-related Illness Emergency Room Surveillance System’ for three months from December to February next year to manage the health of residents in preparation for the winter cold wave.

The Cold-related Illness Emergency Room Surveillance System is a system jointly operated by the Gangjin County Health Center and Gangjin Medical Center to continuously monitor and share information on the occurrence of cold-related illness patients, aiming to minimize health damage to residents caused by cold waves.

As a result of operating the cold-related illness emergency room surveillance system from December last year to February this year, 433 cold-related illness patients were reported nationwide, showing a 42.9% increase compared to the previous year.

By age group, patients aged 80 and over were the most at 91 (21%), followed by those in their 60s with 76 (17.6%), and those in their 50s with 71 (16.4%). The occurrence locations were mainly outdoors such as roadsides and around homes, accounting for 348 cases (80.4%).

Cold-related illnesses are diseases directly caused by cold, showing symptoms such as hypothermia and frostbite, and if left untreated, can lead to death.

Early winter is a period when the body is suddenly exposed to cold, so there is a high risk of cold-related illnesses even with mild cold, requiring caution.

In particular, the elderly and infants with weak immunity, drinkers who have difficulty recognizing cold, and workers who frequently work outdoors in winter should be especially careful to prevent cold-related illnesses.

The main rules to prevent cold-related illnesses include light indoor exercise, adequate hydration, sufficient calorie intake through a balanced diet, maintaining an appropriate indoor temperature (18~20℃), checking the outside temperature before going out, and refraining from going out in cold weather.

Seo Hyun-mi, director of the health center, said, “As the average winter temperature drops, the number of cold-related illness patients is increasing every year,” and added, “I hope people maintain an appropriate indoor temperature, wear warm clothes when going out, and avoid excessive drinking to follow health guidelines well.”