Preventing Mass Food Poisoning and Strengthening Hygiene During the Winter Season
The Jeollanam-do Institute of Health and Environment conducts groundwater tests at 25 facilities, including oysters distributed within the province, food manufacturing and processing companies, school group cafeterias, and general restaurants, in line with the increased incidence of food poisoning caused by norovirus during the winter season. Provided by Jeonnam Province
The Jeollanam-do Institute of Health and Environment announced that it will conduct inspections for norovirus contamination in raw oysters and groundwater used for food purposes, in line with the increased incidence of food poisoning caused by norovirus during the winter season.
Norovirus is highly resistant to cold, capable of surviving for more than ten days at low winter temperatures, and can cause infection even in extremely small amounts. Due to these characteristics, outbreaks are particularly concentrated during the cold and dry winter months.
After infection with norovirus, symptoms typically appear suddenly following an incubation period of 12 to 48 hours. The main symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and mild fever. The primary causes are the consumption of contaminated water or inadequately cooked food, as well as contact with infected individuals.
The Jeollanam-do Institute of Health and Environment plans to conduct norovirus tests on groundwater at 25 facilities, including oysters distributed within the province, food manufacturing and processing companies, school group cafeterias, and general restaurants.
If norovirus is detected, the institute will immediately notify the relevant local government and related agencies, restrict the use of groundwater for food manufacturing, and carry out disinfection and other follow-up measures. Re-testing will continue until norovirus is no longer detected.
Na Hwansik, Head of the Food Analysis Division at the Jeollanam-do Institute of Health and Environment, stated, "Since there are no treatments or vaccines for food poisoning caused by norovirus, thorough prevention is essential, such as consuming food only after it has been cooked if contamination is suspected." He added, "We will minimize the occurrence of food poisoning through rigorous hygiene inspections to ensure the safety of residents."
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