Hwasun County Urges Thorough Handwashing and Food Hygiene as Enteric Infections Surge Amid Heatwave

23.5% Increase in Patients in the Fourth Week of July
Campylobacter Infections Surge by 105%

As the intense summer heat continues, cases of bacterial enteric infections are rising rapidly. Hwasun County has strongly urged residents to strictly follow personal and food hygiene guidelines during food preparation and consumption.

According to Hwasun County on August 3, enteric infections are transmitted through contaminated water or food and can cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, and vomiting. In particular, the risk of infection rises significantly in the summer due to high temperatures and humidity, which accelerate the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms.

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According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency’s sample surveillance, the number of patients with bacterial enteric infections in the fourth week of July this year was 6,820, marking a 23.5% increase compared to the same period last year (5,523 cases). Notably, Campylobacter infections surged by 105% in just one week, from 178 to 365 cases, indicating a need for heightened caution.

Campylobacter is usually contracted through poultry, such as undercooked chicken, and cross-contamination can easily occur during the cooking process. It is advisable to handle raw chicken last, take care to prevent water from splashing during washing, and store the meat in a sealed container on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator.

To prevent infection, it is essential to: ▲wash hands with soap for at least 30 seconds; ▲cook food thoroughly at a core temperature of at least 85℃; ▲boil water before drinking; ▲wash vegetables and fruit thoroughly; and ▲use separate and sanitized cooking utensils.

Mira Park, Head of the Hwasun County Public Health Center, stated, "Bacteria multiply more quickly in the summer, so personal hygiene management is more important than ever. If two or more people who ate the same food show symptoms such as diarrhea or vomiting, please visit a medical facility immediately and report it to the public health center."

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