Pyeongtaek City Urges Caution Against Vibrio Sepsis: "Thoroughly Cook Seafood and Avoid Contact with Wounds"

Pyeongtaek City Reports First Vibrio Sepsis Case of the Year

Pyeongtaek City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Jung Jangsun) has urged citizens to strictly follow infection prevention guidelines and exercise special caution, following the recent announcement by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency of the first Vibrio sepsis case of the year.

Pyeongtaek City Requests Compliance with Vibrio Sepsis Prevention Guidelines. Provided by Pyeongtaek City.

Vibrio sepsis is a Category 3 notifiable infectious disease that can be contracted by eating raw or undercooked seafood contaminated with the bacteria, or when wounded skin comes into contact with contaminated seawater. The first cases typically occur between April and June, when seawater temperatures rise above 18°C, and are most prevalent between August and October.

Symptoms of infection include acute fever, chills, abdominal pain, and vomiting, and within 24 hours of symptom onset, skin lesions such as rashes, swelling, and hemorrhagic blisters may develop on the legs.

In particular, individuals at high risk for Vibrio sepsis—such as those with chronic liver disease, diabetes, alcohol dependence, immunodeficiency, or malignant tumors—are at greater risk of fatality if infected, and therefore require even stricter precautions.

The core prevention guidelines for Vibrio sepsis are as follows: ▲ Cook seafood thoroughly: Heat to at least 85°C before consuming ▲ Exercise caution with seawater contact: Avoid entering or touching seawater if you have wounds on your skin ▲ Practice hygienic food preparation: Store seafood at temperatures below 5°C, wash seafood under running tap water during preparation, disinfect cutting boards and knives, and wear gloves when handling seafood.

An official from Songtan Health Center in Pyeongtaek City stated, "Adhering to prevention guidelines is of utmost importance when it comes to Vibrio sepsis," and urged, "If you experience symptoms such as fever or skin lesions after eating seafood or coming into contact with seawater, please visit a medical institution promptly for diagnosis and treatment."

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