Food Sanitation Month, Norovirus Food Poisoning Warning Information

The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has designated the month of August as “Food Sanitation Month” in order to thoroughly manage food hygiene and enhance risk communication efforts by local governments.

Due to the high temperature and humidity in summer, food poisoning due to bacteria such as Campylobacter Jejuni / Coli, enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus bacteria frequently occurs every year.
Let's prevent the occurrence of food poisoning by observing the three principles of food poisoning prevention "do not attach" (hand washing), "do not increase" (eat immediately, store at low temperature), and "kill" (heating firmly).

Food poisoning caused by norovirus occurs frequently every year from autumn to winter.
The occurrence of food poisoning due to norovirus is closely related to the frequent occurrence of `` infectious gastroenteritis '', and if the number of patients with `` infectious gastroenteritis '' increases rapidly, the occurrence of norovirus food poisoning tends to increase a few weeks later. I am.
In Kanagawa Prefecture, on the day when the number of patients with "infectious gastroenteritis" in the infectious disease outbreak trend survey increased for three consecutive weeks compared to the previous week's value, "Norovirus food poisoning warning information" was issued, We alert businesses.
(The office work related to Norovirus food poisoning warning information is carried out by the Kanagawa Prefectural Health and Medical Care Bureau Health Department Health Sanitation Division.)
　

[What is norovirus?]
Norovirus is a virus that causes acute gastroenteritis mainly in winter.
Infection causes symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and fever, and usually recovers in a few days, but can be severe in infants and the elderly with weak resistance.
In addition, it is very infectious and develops with a very small amount of virus.
The stool and vomit of infected people contain a large amount of norovirus, and secondary contamination (contamination of food through dirty hands, etc.) also causes food poisoning.
　

On December 23, 2024, Kanagawa Prefecture issued norovirus food poisoning warning information.

[Issuing period of norovirus food poisoning warning information for FY2024]
　From December 23, 2024 to March 31, 2025

　
Be aware of the following and make sure you take preventive measures at home.
1 After returning home from the go, wash your hands thoroughly with soap after the toilet, before cooking, and before eating.
2 Wash cooking utensils such as cutting boards thoroughly and disinfect them with boiling water or kitchen bleach.
3 When dealing with vomit, excrement, etc., do not touch it directly. If touched, wash your hands thoroughly with soap.
4 Bivalves such as oysters may be the source of infection, so be careful when handling bivalves and cook (at least 90 seconds at 85 ° C to 90 ° C) to the center before eating.
　
[Reference: Norovirus food poisoning outbreak situation in Yokohama-shi in 2023]
　Number of cases　：　5
　Number of patients:　79 people