The city of Busan is urging residents to practice strict hygiene and food safety as waterborne and foodborne infectious diseases surge amid prolonged heat and humidity.

The city warned that bacteria such as Salmonella and Campylobacter have sharply increased in recent weeks, with gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting becoming more common.

Surveillance data shows a steady rise in intestinal infections nationwide over the past five years, with Salmonella and Campylobacter cases doubling during the fourth week of June alone.

Enterohemorrhagic E. coli infections have also climbed by over 30% compared to the same period last year, while cases of Vibrio vulnificus sepsis are beginning to emerge, prompting further concern as the summer progresses.

To prevent illness, the city outlined six key safety practices: wash hands thoroughly with soap under running water for at least 30 seconds, ensure all food is fully cooked, drink only boiled water, wash fruits and vegetables or peel them, avoid preparing food if you have diarrhea, and maintain strict hygiene in cooking areas by using separate cutting boards and disinfecting tools.

Residents who experience intestinal infection symptoms after eating the same food as others are asked to report the incident to their local health center to prevent further spread.

Fleet Chinhae

USAG Daegu