Hypothermia, Frostbite, Chilblains Targeted by Cold Wave... Ulsan City Activates 'Cold-Related Illness Emergency Room Surveillance System'

Safe Winter Preparedness Measures Until the End of February Next Year

On the 1st, when a cold wave advisory was issued, citizens in the Gwanghwamun area of Seoul endured the cold wearing thick clothing. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] An emergency system monitoring cold-related injuries such as hypothermia and frostbite will be activated in Ulsan.

Ulsan City announced on the 4th that it will operate the "Cold-related Illness Emergency Room Surveillance System" until the end of February 2023, in cooperation with 13 district offices and emergency medical institutions, to help ensure a safe winter from cold-related illnesses caused by the cold wave.

"Cold-related illnesses" are diseases caused directly by cold exposure that harm the human body, with hypothermia, frostbite, and chilblains being representative examples. Inadequate response can lead to loss of life.

Chilblains occur as an inflammatory skin reaction when exposed to mild cold (0℃~10℃) for a long time in damp environments, commonly affecting the hands, feet, ears, and legs. The affected areas may feel itchy or prickly, and the itching worsens when moving to a warm place. In severe cases, blood congestion can cause swelling, blisters, or ulcers.

Last year, a total of 10 cold-related illness cases (300 nationwide) were reported in Ulsan through the cold-related illness emergency room surveillance system, all of which were hypothermia, with 6 cases (60%) occurring in people aged 60 and over.

To prevent cold-related illnesses, it is necessary to ▲ maintain an appropriate indoor temperature (18~20 degrees) ▲ check the perceived temperature before going out ▲ avoid outdoor activities ▲ use cold-weather gear such as gloves, scarves, hats, and masks ▲ consume adequate fluids and perform light indoor exercises.

An official from Ulsan City said, "Cold-related illnesses can lead to serious casualties, but they can be prevented simply by following basic guidelines."

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