Pocheon City Steps Up Efforts to Prevent Water-Related Infectious Diseases, Urges Citizens to Follow Hygiene Guidelines

Pocheon City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Baek Younghyeon) is conducting disinfection activities to prevent the spread of water-related infectious diseases by deploying disinfection vehicles and public health center personnel, focusing on areas affected by flooding.

Pocheon City is conducting disinfection activities by deploying disinfection vehicles and public health center personnel, focusing on flood-affected areas to prevent the spread of waterborne infectious diseases. Photo by Pocheon City

Water-related infectious diseases are those that occur or worsen due to heavy rains, typhoons, or floods. When rivers overflow or areas are submerged, the number of pathogens and vectors such as mosquitoes, flies, and rats increases, and deteriorating sanitary conditions raise the risk of outbreaks in groups.

Pocheon City is checking daily for suspected symptoms of infectious diseases such as fever, cough, and diarrhea among disaster victims staying in temporary shelters due to heavy rain damage. In addition, the city is distributing personal hygiene items such as hand sanitizers, masks, and hand soap, as well as protective sleeves and spray-type insecticides, to reduce the risk of exposure to infectious diseases during outdoor activities.

Park Eunsook, Director of the Pocheon City Public Health Center, stated, "We will do our best in disinfection, monitoring, and providing preventive guidelines so that residents affected by water-related disasters can live without worrying about secondary infectious diseases," and added, "We ask all citizens to thoroughly follow personal hygiene guidelines to prevent infectious diseases."

The public health center advised residents to wash their hands with running water for at least 30 seconds, drink only boiled or bottled water, avoid preparing food if they have wounds on their hands, and ensure that all food is thoroughly cooked to prevent waterborne infectious diseases.

Additionally, to prevent mosquito-borne infectious diseases, residents are encouraged to remove standing water, refrain from going out at night, use mosquito repellents, and wear long clothing. To prevent skin diseases or eye infections, it is important to avoid visiting flood-affected areas and to be careful not to touch your eyes with unwashed hands.