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The number of patients infected with norovirus, which can cause food poisoning during winter, continues to rise.
According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on the 26th, there were 388 reported cases of norovirus infection at medical institutions nationwide from the 12th to the 18th, the third week of January. This is an increase of 4.3% compared to the previous week.
This winter, the number of norovirus infection cases has risen for eight consecutive weeks since the last week of November last year. Specifically, there were 142 cases in the second week of last month, 248 cases in the third week, and 291 cases in the fourth week. This year, there were 369 cases in the first week of January and 372 cases in the second week.
The Disease Control and Prevention Agency is monitoring norovirus infection trends among sample surveillance medical institutions at the hospital level and above, so the actual number of patients is likely to be higher than reported.
Norovirus is transmitted through contaminated oysters, shellfish, and groundwater. It frequently occurs from November to April, which encompasses winter through early spring. Young children, who live in group settings and have weaker immunity than adults, are more susceptible.