Osan City, winter norovirus advisory, best prevention: Media Today www.mediatoday.asia

▲ Osan City, winter norovirus advisory is the best prevention

[미디어투데이=안상일기자] The Osan City Public Health Center urged caution, saying that as temperatures drop, the likelihood of norovirus infections is increasing.

Norovirus is a food poisoning virus that occurs more often in winter than summer and causes acute gastroenteritis because the survival period of the virus is extended in winter when temperatures are low, its infectiousness increases, and it can survive well even at -20℃.

During infection, symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever appear suddenly, and symptoms usually appear between 12 and 48 hours.

Norovirus is spread not only through consumption of contaminated food but also through person-to-person contact, so thorough hand washing is the most important preventive measure.

Before preparing food, before eating, and after using the bathroom, you must wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 30 seconds. Additionally, it is important to heat seafood such as raw oysters and clams sufficiently before consuming them.

Cooked food should be stored in clean containers, and cooking utensils, cutting boards, and knives should be washed and disinfected immediately after use.

There is no specific treatment for norovirus infection, and most people recover naturally after 2 to 3 days. It is important to drink adequate water just to prevent dehydration.

Patients must strictly observe self-quarantine to avoid spreading the disease to others, and it is advisable to avoid cooking food or visiting public places for at least 48 hours after symptoms disappear. Disposable gloves should be worn when handling vomit or feces from an infected person, and contaminated surfaces should be thoroughly disinfected with chlorine disinfectant. Using safe drinking water is also important.

It is best to drink boiled water. In group facilities vulnerable to infection, such as schools, kindergartens, and nursing facilities, it is necessary to reduce the risk of infection through regular ventilation and environmental disinfection.

Ko Dong-hoon, director of the Osan City Public Health Center, said, “The public health center plans to continue conducting hand-washing campaigns and food hygiene education to prevent norovirus infection, and if you have any suspicious symptoms, quickly visiting a medical institution and receiving treatment will be a great help in preventing the spread of infection. He urged people to have a healthy winter by strictly following the precautions to prevent norovirus infection.