The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency urged people to follow preventive measures such as vaccination and personal hygiene management to curb the spread of influenza and norovirus infection ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday.
The agency released infection prevention guidelines of this nature on 19th.
According to the agency, for the second week of this year, from 5th to 11th, there were 86.1 influenza suspected patients per 1,000 in the country. This is a 13.7% decrease compared to the previous week, but it is still relatively high compared to an average year.
The agency recommended vaccination as the domestic influenza outbreak spreads ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday, when large migrations begin. Currently, free influenza vaccinations are available primarily for vulnerable groups who can develop severe symptoms from influenza, including the elderly, infants, pregnant women, children, and adolescents.
In addition, the agency urged individuals to wash their hands regularly and practice cough etiquette, as well as to refrain from going to work if they have symptoms such as fever or cough and to visit a medical institution.
The agency also emphasized the need to pay attention to norovirus infections that cause food poisoning in winter. The number of norovirus infection patients increased steadily from 291 in the last week of last year to 369 in the first week of this year and 372 in the second week.
The agency stressed that norovirus infection can be prevented through compliance with personal hygiene and hygienic cooking practices. In particular, food ingredients must be cooked thoroughly at above 85 degrees Celsius for at least one minute, and those with infection symptoms should not prepare meals.
During the Lunar New Year holiday, people traveling abroad should also be cautious of mosquito-borne infectious diseases such as dengue fever and malaria.
To prevent mosquito-borne infectious diseases, travelers should wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants, and use mosquito repellent. Rapid tests for dengue fever can be conducted at the National Quarantine Station, so if there are any suspicious symptoms, it is advisable to get tested as soon as possible.
Jeong Yeong-mi, director of the agency, noted, "It is a crucial time for vaccination to prevent respiratory infectious diseases," and urged, "Please get vaccinated against influenza and COVID-19 in advance ahead of the Lunar New Year when gatherings with family and relatives are frequent."