Group Food Poisoning Cases in Gyeonggi Province Rise by Over 20%... Provincial Health Institute Urges Caution

This year, the number of group food poisoning cases in Gyeonggi Province has increased by more than 20%.

According to the Gyeonggi Institute of Health and Environment on May 31, a total of 60 group food poisoning cases occurred in the province so far this year, an increase of 11 cases compared to 49 cases during the same period last year. The increase rate is 22.4%. Of these, the causative pathogen was identified in 45 cases, while the remaining 15 cases had no identified causative bacteria.

The causative pathogens are categorized as either bacterial food poisoning, such as pathogenic Escherichia coli and Salmonella, or viral food poisoning, such as norovirus and rotavirus. Among these, norovirus accounted for 34 cases, or 56.7%, making it the leading cause of food poisoning in the first half of the year. Pathogenic Escherichia coli was found in 7 cases, Salmonella in 3 cases, and rotavirus in 1 case.

Gyeonggi Provincial Government

Unlike the winter season, when norovirus and similar viruses are prevalent, the hot and humid summer season sees a concentration of bacterial food poisoning outbreaks. In particular, there is a heightened risk of Salmonella infections through eggs and poultry, and pathogenic Escherichia coli infections through contaminated vegetables or ground meat, so special caution is required.

To prevent food poisoning, it is essential to follow basic hygiene practices such as washing hands under running water for more than 30 seconds, thoroughly cooking food, consuming prepared food as soon as possible, and storing ingredients and cooked foods in the refrigerator or freezer. It is also important to use separate knives and cutting boards for raw meat and vegetables, and to ensure that meat, poultry, and eggs are thoroughly cooked all the way through.

Kim Myunggil, Head of the Infectious Disease Research Division at the Gyeonggi Institute of Health and Environment, said, "During the summer, when both temperature and humidity are high, the risk of bacterial food poisoning increases, so it is important to strictly follow personal hygiene and food storage guidelines," adding, "If food poisoning is suspected, it should be reported immediately to the nearest health center to quickly identify the causative pathogen and prevent the spread within the community."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.