"If Two or More People Experience Diarrhea or Vomiting After Eating the Same Food, Report to Public Health Center"

KDCA Implements "Emergency Summer Quarantine System"
Over 12,000 Cases of Waterborne and Foodborne Infectious Diseases Last Year

As temperatures rise, the risk of food poisoning increases. On April 30, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) announced that it will implement an "emergency summer quarantine system" from May 1 to October 12.

Starting in May, as the weather gets warmer, the incidence of waterborne and foodborne infectious diseases caused by bacteria and microorganisms in water or food may increase. In addition, with May being Family Month, there is a higher risk of group outbreaks due to the increase in group gatherings and domestic and international travel.

Last year, there were 529 group outbreaks of waterborne and foodborne infectious diseases, with 12,094 patients. Compared to the annual average of 479 cases and 7,801 patients over the five years from 2019 to 2023, this represents an increase of 10.4% in the number of cases and a dramatic 55.0% increase in the number of patients. In particular, during the summer season, group outbreaks of bacterial waterborne and foodborne infectious diseases increased, with Salmonella accounting for 42.2% and pathogenic Escherichia coli for 17.0% of cases.

The KDCA plans to conduct emergency duty in cooperation with public health centers in cities, provinces, and local districts nationwide to enable early detection of waterborne and foodborne infectious diseases and to respond quickly to group outbreaks. Local governments will operate emergency duty from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and until 4 p.m. on weekends and public holidays, maintaining an emergency contact system at other times. The KDCA will also operate a 24-hour general situation room to ensure a rapid response.

KDCA Commissioner Jee Youngmee urged, "To enable a swift response to group outbreaks, please report immediately to the nearest public health center if two or more people experience symptoms such as diarrhea or vomiting." She also emphasized, "To prevent infections, it is important to follow basic preventive measures such as boiling water before drinking, eating thoroughly cooked food, and washing hands with soap under running water for at least 30 seconds."