Kimchi blamed for mass sickness in South Korea

Namwon City Mayor Choi Kyung-sik announced that officials are working to control the spread of a foodborne illness. Around 1,000 people in South Korea have fallen ill due to food poisoning linked to kimchi, a popular fermented cabbage dish. The illness is caused by norovirus, which is highly contagious and can be transmitted through contact with contaminated surfaces, such as toilet flush handles, or from infected individuals. While most people recover within a few days without needing hospital care, some can become severely ill.

The first case of the illness was reported on Tuesday, and by Wednesday, the number of cases had risen to 153. By Thursday, the number had surged to 745, and by Friday morning, there were 996 confirmed cases. Local media reports indicated that the number had increased to 1,024 by early Saturday afternoon. The contaminated kimchi had been distributed through school meals in Namwon City, affecting students and staff from 24 schools who experienced symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

City officials launched an epidemiological investigation on Wednesday to determine the source of the outbreak. They discovered norovirus in some of the kimchi and in environmental samples. In response, the city's Mayor, Choi Kyung-sik, stated that health officials had taken 'pre-emptive and excessive' measures to prevent further spread of the illness. The city's disaster and safety department has temporarily halted the production and sale of products from the company that produced the contaminated kimchi. The company is also in the process of voluntarily recalling products that have already been distributed. The name of the company has not been officially disclosed.

Namwon City officials are making every effort to ensure the safety of their citizens. They are conducting a thorough investigation to trace the source of the illness and have found norovirus in some of the kimchi and environmental samples. The production and sale of products from the company responsible for the contaminated kimchi have been suspended, and the company is recalling distributed products. The city's Mayor, Choi Kyung-sik, emphasized that health officials are taking strong actions to prevent further spread of the illness.

Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that can be transmitted through contact with contaminated surfaces or from infected individuals. Most people recover within a few days without needing hospital care, but some can become severely ill. The first case of the illness was reported on Tuesday, and the number of cases quickly escalated, reaching 1,024 by early Saturday afternoon. The contaminated kimchi had been distributed through school meals in Namwon City, affecting students and staff from 24 schools who experienced symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.