South Korea reports surge in infectious diseases ahead of Chuseok

South Korea is seeing a significant rise in infectious diseases ahead of the Chuseok holiday. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), cases of waterborne and foodborne illnesses have increased by 29.4% compared to the same period last year, with approximately 14,000 cases reported through the 37th week of the year.

Health authorities are urging caution regarding food hygiene, recommending that food be cooked at temperatures above 85°C and stored below 5°C to prevent bacterial growth during holiday gatherings. Additionally, respiratory infections such as influenza are on the rise, with influenza patient rates increasing significantly compared to last year. The KDCA noted that influenza cases have grown more rapidly than typical colds, emphasizing the importance of vaccination.

As outdoor activities like visiting ancestral graves increase during this season, there is also a heightened risk of tick-borne diseases, such as SFTS, which has a cumulative fatality rate of 18.0% in South Korea. The KDCA will maintain an emergency quarantine system throughout the holiday period, operating a 24-hour call center to monitor and respond to disease trends.