"High Daytime Temperatures" ... Beware of 'Salmonella and Vibrio Sepsis' in Holiday Foods

KDCA Provides Guidelines for Preventing Waterborne and Foodborne Infectious Diseases

This Chuseok, as temperatures are expected to be somewhat higher and family visits increase, caution is needed regarding infectious diseases transmitted through water and food.

On the 10th, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency urged the public to thoroughly maintain personal hygiene during the holiday period to prevent waterborne and foodborne infectious diseases such as Salmonella infection and Vibrio sepsis.

Waterborne and foodborne infectious diseases occur when food is not hygienically prepared or is improperly managed, such as being stored at room temperature for extended periods. With social distancing measures lifted this Chuseok holiday, interactions among family, relatives, and acquaintances are expected to increase, and the average maximum temperature may exceed 28°C, raising concerns about food spoilage and outbreaks of infectious diseases from communal consumption.

Salmonella infection is generally known to occur when consuming eggs, milk, meat, or processed products contaminated with Salmonella bacteria. This year, until the end of August, the incidence of Salmonella infection increased by 19.7% compared to the average of the past five years (2017?2021), necessitating extra caution.

To prevent Salmonella infection, related ingredients should be refrigerated, and safe cooking practices must be followed to prevent cross-contamination. Since Salmonella bacteria may be present on the eggshell surface, use eggs with intact shells, cook them thoroughly and promptly after cracking, and wash hands after handling eggs.

Vibrio sepsis can be contracted by eating raw or undercooked seafood or when wounded skin comes into contact with contaminated seawater. Most cases occur annually between August and October.

Especially high-risk groups with underlying conditions such as liver disease, diabetes, alcoholism, those taking corticosteroids or anticancer drugs, patients with malignant tumors, aplastic anemia, leukemia, organ transplant recipients, and immunodeficient patients have a fatality rate around 50% upon infection. Therefore, seafood must be thoroughly cooked, and contact with seawater should be avoided if there are skin wounds.

The Disease Control Agency emphasized, "If you experience multiple episodes of diarrhea within 24 hours after eating, seek medical attention immediately, and if two or more people have group diarrhea symptoms, report it to the public health center."

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