The Centers for Disease Control (hereafter referred to as CDC) stated today (the 24th) that during the Lunar New Year period, increased travel north and south, homecoming reunions, and dining gatherings raise the risk of disease transmission when friends and relatives gather and share meals. In diarrhea cluster cases, the predominant pathogen is norovirus, which is highly contagious and can cause illness with a low viral load. The incubation period is about 10–50 hours, and people of any age may become infected by ingesting or contacting contaminated food, water, or surfaces, as well as inhaling droplets generated from a patient's vomit or excreta. Common clinical symptoms include watery diarrhea and vomiting, and may also include nausea, fever, headache, abdominal cramps, stomach pain, and muscle aches.
According to CDC monitoring data, in the domestic 5th week of 2026 (February 1–7) there were 142,814 outpatient and emergency visits for diarrhea, and in the 6th week (February 8–14) there were 171,756 such visits, indicating an upward trend in the diarrhea epidemic before the Lunar New Year holiday. In the domestic 7th week (February 15–21, during the Lunar New Year period) there were 80,308 outpatient and emergency visits for diarrhea, lower than the previous week’s 171,756 visits, mainly because the 7th week coincided with the holiday and many clinics were closed. In addition, from New Year's Eve to the fifth day of the new year (February 16–21), there were 15,597 emergency visits for diarrhea, accounting for about 10.1% of total emergency visits. Over the past four weeks nationwide (weeks 4 to 7), a total of 122 reported diarrhea cluster cases were received, with the majority occurring in the food and beverage and accommodation sectors; among them, 37 cases tested positive for pathogens, with norovirus detected in 31 cases (83.8%). Regarding the international situation, norovirus infection outbreaks continue to rise in South Korea, Japan, and the United Kingdom, reaching the highest levels in the past five years. Additionally, recent diarrhea cases have increased in China and Hong Kong, and a norovirus cluster outbreak was reported at the Winter Olympics in Italy.
The CDC reminds the public to wash hands properly with soap or hand cleanser after using the toilet and before eating or preparing food, to observe food hygiene when cooking and storing food, to handle raw and cooked foods separately, and to avoid consuming raw food or drinks; food should be thoroughly cooked before eating (especially oysters, shellfish, and other shelled seafood). If you experience symptoms such as diarrhea or vomiting, seek medical attention promptly and stay home to rest, to reduce the risk of transmitting intestinal infections. Food and beverage and accommodation operators must ensure kitchen environment disinfection and cleaning, and strengthen employee health management; anyone with suspected gastroenteritis symptoms should refrain from work and may return only after being symptom‑free for 48 hours. Before cleaning contaminated surfaces (e.g., floors, door handles), wear gloves and a mask and wipe with a solution of 20 c.c. bleach mixed with 1 liter of water (1,000 ppm). Patient vomit and excreta should be disinfected with 100 c.c. bleach mixed with 1 liter of water (5,000 ppm). Diluted bleach should be prepared on the day of use, labeled with the date, kept capped and protected from sunlight; any unused solution should be discarded after 24 hours. After returning from travel abroad, if you develop any symptoms, seek medical care promptly and inform the physician of your travel and exposure history to facilitate early diagnosis and treatment.
Source: Centers for Disease Control
Data compiled by: Sensory Management Office
