"Cook Food Thoroughly and Follow Personal Hygiene Guidelines"
Infants and Young Children Account for 29.9% of All Cases
As winter begins, the number of norovirus infection cases has surged, prompting health authorities to urge caution. In particular, as the proportion of cases among infants and young children has increased, authorities emphasized the importance of following hygiene guidelines in facilities related to young children, such as daycare centers and kids' cafes.
According to sample surveillance of hospital-level institutions (210 locations) operated by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on December 8, the number of norovirus infection cases has been on the rise recently. In particular, the number of cases increased by 58.8% compared to the same period in the fifth week of November last year. Among all patients, infants and young children aged 0 to 6 accounted for 29.9%.
In Korea, norovirus mainly occurs from winter through early spring (November to March), and it is characterized by frequent outbreaks among infants and young children (aged 0 to 6), who find it difficult to maintain personal hygiene and often live in group settings. In addition, norovirus has a wide variety of genotypes, and the duration of immunity after infection is relatively short-up to about 18 months-so even those who have previously had norovirus can be reinfected. This requires extra caution.
The main routes of infection are consuming water (such as groundwater) or food (including shellfish) contaminated with norovirus. However, person-to-person transmission through contact with infected individuals or droplets from patient secretions is also possible. After being infected with norovirus, symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea typically appear within 12 to 48 hours, and some people may also experience abdominal pain, chills, or fever.
For prevention, it is recommended to wash hands with soap for at least 30 seconds rather than using hand sanitizer, to wash ingredients under running water, and to ensure food is cooked thoroughly at 85°C or higher for at least one minute. Only safe and hygienically prepared food should be consumed.
Patients with norovirus infection should refrain from attending daycare, school, or work for up to 48 hours after symptoms disappear, and should separate their living spaces, including bathrooms, from other family members. In addition, when using the bathroom, it is important to close the toilet lid before flushing to prevent the spread of norovirus through droplets.
Im Seungkwan, Commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, stated, "To prevent norovirus infection, it is important to follow preventive measures such as proper handwashing and eating safely prepared food." He added, "In particular, childcare facilities should ensure that symptomatic children do not attend, disinfect areas used by patients, and report any group outbreaks to the nearest public health center."
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