AROUND 1,000 people have suffered food poisoning in South Korea due to kimchi contaminated with norovirus.
Officials in the southwestern city of Namwon announced 996 cases on Friday morning, although local media reported the figure had risen to 1,024 by Saturday followingnoon.
Authorities said the contaminated kimchi was part of food distributed at schools in the city.
They reported that students and staff from 24 schools were among the patients who experienced symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
Norovirus is highly contagious and can be spread by touching contaminated surfaces such as toilet handles from an infected person.
The majority of food poisoning patients in South Korea recover within a few days without needing to be hospitalized, but some of them suffer greatly.
Also read: South Korea Promotes Kimchi to Celebrate 50 Years of Relations with Indonesia
Namwon city officials said they had launched an investigation into the source of the food poisoning on Wednesday (July 3) following the first cases emerged the day before.
In a social media post, Namwon Mayor Choi Kyuk-sik said health authorities have taken a comprehensive approach in an effort to prevent the spread of food poisoning cases.
Investigations revealed norovirus was found among patients and kimchi in food distributed at the school. (bbc/Z-1)
#Contaminated #Kimchi #Mass #Food #Poisoning #Korea
