Gyeongnam Province Prevents Cold Wave Damage Such as Hypothermia and Frostbite

Operation of Cold-Related Illness Emergency Room Surveillance System Until the End of February Next Year

Gyeongnam Provincial Government. / Photo by Se-ryeong Lee ryeong@

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] Gyeongsangnam-do will operate a cold-related illness emergency room surveillance system until February 28 next year.

Gyeongnam Province plans to identify patients visiting emergency rooms with related illnesses such as hypothermia, frostbite, chilblains, immersion foot, and trench foot caused by winter cold waves, and monitor the health impacts of the cold wave to prevent damage from cold-related illnesses.

The surveillance system is carried out in cooperation with 51 emergency room operating medical institutions in the province, local public health centers, Gyeongsangnam-do, and the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency.

According to data released by the province, a total of 26 cold-related illness patients were reported through the cold-related illness emergency room surveillance system in the 2021-2022 season, with no deaths in the province.

The number of patients increased from 23 to 26 compared to the 2020-2021 season, and the number of deaths decreased from one to zero.

Kang Jisuk, Director of the Food and Drug Division, said, “Cold-related illnesses caused directly by cold can be prevented, so it is necessary to learn prevention methods and how to respond.” She added, “When going out, it is important to follow basic health protection rules such as wearing several thin layers of clothing, doing light indoor exercise, drinking adequate fluids, and maintaining appropriate temperature and humidity in the environment.”