Paju City Activates Emergency Quarantine System for Waterborne and Foodborne Diseases During Lunar New Year Holiday

Warning Over Norovirus Spread
Call for Preventive Measures
Such as Washing Hands for at Least 30 Seconds

Paju City in Gyeonggi Province announced on the 10th that it will operate an emergency quarantine system to enable a swift response and prevent community spread, as the risk of cluster outbreaks of waterborne and foodborne infectious diseases increases during the Lunar New Year holidays.

Paju City activates emergency response system for waterborne and foodborne infectious diseases during the Lunar New Year holiday - Prevention guidelines for waterborne and foodborne infectious diseases. Provided by Paju City

This emergency quarantine system will be in operation from the 14th to the 18th, covering the Lunar New Year holiday period. During this time, Paju Public Health Center will maintain a 24-hour emergency contact system with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and higher-level institutions, continuously monitoring for waterborne and foodborne infectious diseases and any occurrence of group diarrhea, and responding promptly.

Norovirus infection, which mainly occurs in winter, has recently been continuously reported, particularly among young children (ages 0 to 6) and students, requiring special caution. Norovirus can be transmitted not only through contaminated food but also through contact with infected patients and respiratory droplets, which makes the risk of spread higher during holidays when many people gather. Paju Public Health Center has distributed guidelines on preventive measures to infection-vulnerable facilities within its jurisdiction, such as daycare centers and social welfare facilities, and has requested strict hygiene management.

Paju Public Health Center emphasized compliance with the following infectious disease prevention guidelines so that citizens can enjoy a healthy holiday: wash hands with soap under running water for at least 30 seconds; cook food thoroughly at 85°C or higher for at least 1 minute before eating; always boil water before drinking; use separate knives and cutting boards for vegetables, meat, and seafood; and do not cook if you have symptoms such as diarrhea.

Lee Hansang, Director of Paju Public Health Center, said, "We will do our utmost in emergency quarantine to prevent any infectious disease incidents during the joyful Lunar New Year holiday when family and relatives gather," and added, "We ask everyone to strictly follow basic personal hygiene rules and to report immediately to the public health center if any group symptoms occur."

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