The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency announced on the 7th that the number of patients with norovirus infection has increased rapidly over the past five weeks. In particular, infants and young children account for more than half of all patients, and there are concerns that the infection may spread in group living spaces such as daycare centers. Personal hygiene rules and thorough environmental disinfection are being emphasized as the key to preventing infection.
|
[Korea Today] Norovirus Infection Prevention Guidelines (Photo provided by Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency) © Reporter Na-yeon Kim |
According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, the number of patients with norovirus infection increased by about 3.6 times from 80 to 291 over the past five weeks from the 48th to 52nd week of last year. Of these, infants and toddlers aged 0 to 6 accounted for the largest proportion, accounting for 58.8% of the total, and the spread of infection is prominent in group living settings such as daycare centers and kindergartens.
Norovirus mainly occurs from winter to early spring of the following year, is highly contagious, and the immunity maintenance period is short, so reinfection is common. The main symptoms are vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, and some patients may also have fever and dehydration symptoms. The main infection route is through ingestion of contaminated water or seafood, contact with patients, or infection through droplets of secretions.
|
[Korean Today] Trends in the number of norovirus infection patients by age group over the past 5 weeks_Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency © Reporter Na-yeon Kim |
In particular, since there is no vaccine for norovirus, the most important preventive measure is to follow personal hygiene rules. Washing your hands with soap and running water for more than 30 seconds is considered the most effective preventive measure. In addition, you should thoroughly wash food ingredients and cook them at 85℃ or higher for more than 1 minute before eating.
In the event of a patient, the environment where the patient’s secretions have been exposed should be disinfected with a diluted solution of bleach (1:50), and the patient’s living space should be separated to prevent the spread of infection. Even after the symptoms disappear, you should refrain from going to school, work, or school for at least 48 hours, and you should also be careful to prevent the spread of droplets, such as by closing the toilet lid and flushing when using the toilet.
|
[Korean Today] Environmental occurrence trends over the past 5 years (2019-2023)_Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency © Reporter Na-yeon Kim |
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency specifically requested that childcare facilities prohibit symptomatic patients from attending, and that frequently touched areas such as bathrooms and doorknobs be thoroughly disinfected when patients are found. It also emphasized that it is important to immediately report to the nearest public health center when a group of patients occurs.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency added, “Norovirus is a highly contagious disease with a high risk of reinfection, so proper handwashing and hygienic eating habits are more important than anything else,” and “Infant and young child facilities and related facilities should thoroughly follow infection prevention guidelines.”
|
|
© The Korean Today – All Rights Reserved