Jeongeup-si Activates Emergency Quarantine System for Waterborne and Foodborne Infectious Diseases

Jeongeup City in Jeollabuk-do will operate a summer emergency quarantine duty system from this month until September to respond to infectious diseases, including waterborne and foodborne infections, by ensuring rapid reporting and epidemiological investigations in case of group patient outbreaks.

Waterborne and Foodborne Infectious Disease Prevention Guidelines Poster
[Photo by Jeongeup City]

According to the city on the 8th, to respond to infectious diseases such as epidemiological investigations for cause identification in case of group outbreaks, emergency duty will be conducted until 8 p.m. on weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends and holidays, maintaining a 24-hour emergency contact system.

Waterborne and foodborne infectious diseases are illnesses caused by infection and transmission through consumption of contaminated water or food, resulting in gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

During the summer season (May to September), the rise in temperature and the rainy season create an environment conducive to microbial growth, leading to relatively more frequent group outbreaks compared to other periods (October to April).

Therefore, during this period, waterborne and foodborne infectious diseases such as typhoid fever, enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli infection, and bacterial dysentery surge. In particular, with the easing of COVID-19 quarantine measures and increased outdoor activities such as dining out, group outbreaks have returned to pre-COVID-19 levels.

For prompt response to group outbreaks, if two or more patients exhibit similar symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting, they should immediately report to the nearest public health center. It is also essential to follow infectious disease prevention guidelines such as consuming safe water and food (boiling or cooking thoroughly) and washing hands with soap under running water for at least 30 seconds.

Son Hee-kyung, director of the public health center, said, “Waterborne and foodborne infectious diseases are increasing recently due to more dining out and outdoor activities,” and urged, “Please adhere to infectious disease prevention rules such as washing hands with soap under running water for at least 30 seconds, cooking food thoroughly, and consuming safe food.”

Jeongeup = Kim Jae-gil, Honam Reporting Headquarters, Asia Economy baekok@asiae.co.kr