Increase in 'Norovirus' Food Poisoning Cases from Winter to Spring

Gangwon-do Strengthens Norovirus Food Poisoning Prevention in Daycare Centers and Group Meal Facilities

[Asia Economy DB]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] Gangwon Province is taking measures to prevent food poisoning caused by norovirus, which occurs especially frequently from winter to spring.

Norovirus can survive at low temperatures below minus 20°C and is transmitted through consumption of food or groundwater contaminated with norovirus, or through direct or indirect contact with infected individuals.

According to the province on the 19th, hygiene inspections and collection and testing of processed and prepared foods will be continuously strengthened until next spring for vulnerable facilities such as daycare centers (358 locations) and intensive management establishments (group catering facilities, food supply businesses, 1,527 locations).

Next year, the province will also expand food service industry food poisoning prevention diagnostic consulting, conduct joint mock drills with related organizations on food poisoning prevention, and provide special education on food poisoning prevention at social welfare facilities.

In particular, for about 2,500 meal service managers including those at children's social welfare meal management support centers, the province plans to send food poisoning index notification texts more than five times a week to raise awareness about food poisoning.

Jeon Cheol-su, Director of the Health Food Safety Division of Gangwon Province, said, "We will also conduct inspections on ski resorts, large restaurants around resorts, and rest area food service establishments (including highway rest stops) to ensure compliance with the six major food poisoning prevention rules and norovirus prevention methods (heating, disinfection, cleaning)."

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