More Active in This Severe Cold... 'Norovirus' Warning Issued

156 Patients Reported from 11th to 17th This Month
Symptoms Include Vomiting, Diarrhea, Abdominal Pain, Chills, and Fever
Patients Should Close Toilet Lids to Minimize Droplet Spread

Patients with norovirus infection, a viral disease that mainly spreads during winter, have rapidly increased more than twofold in a month.

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on the 23rd, the number of norovirus infection patients reported from 208 nationwide sentinel surveillance sites increased from 70 during the week of November 13-19 to 156 during the week of December 11-17, more than doubling.

Norovirus infections, which have shown an increasing trend for five consecutive weeks, are rising mainly among infants and young children, with 87 out of the reported patients in the past week being aged 0-6, accounting for more than half.

Norovirus infections mainly occur between November and April. Infection happens when consuming food or water contaminated with norovirus, or through contact with hands or environments contaminated by the feces or vomit of infected patients.

Symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea appear within 12 to 48 hours after infection, sometimes accompanied by abdominal pain, chills, and fever.

The KDCA emphasized that to prevent norovirus infection and its spread, people should wash their hands thoroughly, eat food that is fully cooked or washed under running water, and drink boiled water, following hygiene guidelines carefully.

In particular, norovirus patients should close the toilet lid before flushing after defecation to minimize droplet spread.

When patients occur in childcare facilities or schools, attendance or work should be restricted until 48 hours after symptoms disappear, and the KDCA recommends that families also separate living spaces from the patient.

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