Yangpyeong County in Gyeonggi Province (Governor Jeon Jinseon) has urged residents to strictly follow personal hygiene guidelines as cases of norovirus infection continue to rise during the winter season.
According to the national sentinel surveillance for infectious diseases, the number of norovirus cases has been steadily increasing since the first week of November last year (week 45 of 2025), reaching 548 cases as of the second week of January this year-the highest level in the past five years. Notably, children aged 0 to 6 accounted for 39.6% of all cases, representing the highest proportion among all age groups.
Norovirus infections primarily occur from winter through early spring and are highly contagious, as even a small number of viral particles can cause infection. The main routes of transmission include consuming water contaminated with norovirus, eating food (especially shellfish such as clams and oysters) that has not been thoroughly cooked, and contact with infected individuals. Symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, chills, and fever typically appear within 12 to 48 hours of infection. Infants, young children, and the elderly are particularly at risk of complications such as dehydration due to severe diarrhea.
To prevent norovirus infection, it is essential to: wash hands properly; thoroughly cook food, especially shellfish such as clams and oysters; close the toilet lid before flushing; and thoroughly clean and disinfect areas where vomiting or diarrhea has occurred.
Jeon Jinseon, Governor of Yangpyeong County, emphasized, "There is no preventive vaccine for norovirus, so personal hygiene management is more important than ever. Please pay special attention to prevention by making handwashing a habit and consuming only safely prepared food."
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