Jeonju City Sees Rise in Scarlet Fever and Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease... Emphasizes Preventive Guidelines

Handwashing and Cough Etiquette

Jeonju City Public Health Center (Director Kim Shinsun) has recently emphasized the importance of following preventive guidelines due to an increase in cases of scarlet fever and hand, foot, and mouth disease.

Jeonju City Hall exterior. Provided by Jeonju City

According to Jeonju City Public Health Center on July 8, the number of scarlet fever patients in the city this year has tripled compared to the first half of last year, rising from 10 to 30 cases. Nationwide, the number of patients increased 2.2 times, from 2,687 to 6,070.

Scarlet fever is an acute febrile illness that begins with a sudden high fever, headache, and sore throat, and within one or two days, a red rash spreads across the body. While the disease responds well to antibiotics, there is no vaccine, making prevention especially important.

Preventive measures include: ▲ washing hands properly ▲ practicing proper cough etiquette ▲ not sharing personal items such as towels, cups, or tableware.

Additionally, the number of patients with hand, foot, and mouth disease?an acute viral illness caused by enteroviruses such as enterovirus?has also been increasing, so caution is needed. In particular, households and facilities with infants and young children are being urged to strictly follow hygiene guidelines.

Kim Shinsun, Director of Jeonju City Public Health Center, stated, "Scarlet fever and hand, foot, and mouth disease are infectious diseases with a high incidence among infants and young children. We hope that each household, kindergarten, and daycare center will strictly adhere to preventive guidelines to ensure a healthy summer."