The Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health is reminding people to be careful when sharing food and water. Following an outbreak of severe diarrhea caused by norovirus in schools, the policy was recommended. “Eat Cooked-Hot-Clean” prevents disease from food and waterborne diseases.
Today (10 November 2023) Dr Thongchai Keeradi Hattayakorn Acting Director General of Disease Control Department said schools are now open for the semester. This is the time when students get together and do activities in groups. And food and water together are contaminated with food- and water-borne pathogens if the food and water are not clean. Including bacteria, viruses, parasites along with humidity and cold weather. Suitable for the growth of certain pathogens. Especially viruses therefore, it can cause illness with severe diarrhea.
Information from the Division of Epidemiology, Department of Disease Control, Acute Diarrhea Situation. 1 January – 31 October. ’23, 610,362 cases diagnosed nationwide, 1 death. On November 3, 2023, the Outbreak News Monitoring Program reported an outbreak of severe diarrhea at a school caused by norovirus. There were 103 patients including 88 students and 15 staff. Most cases include vomiting, fever, and symptoms. Diarrhea, this infection is common in winter. Spread by direct contact with sick people. Eating contaminated food and water Touching contaminated surfaces or objects and putting them in your mouth without washing your hands. It causes abdominal pain, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting etc. Contamination is often found in drinking water, ice, unheated food such as fruits and vegetables. Therefore, teachers should emphasize this. Cooks, students and public must follow hygiene policies. Especially in schools or crowded places. Because there is a risk of disease transmission through food and water.
Dr. Sobon Imsirithavorn, deputy director general of the Department of Disease Control, added that early treatment when ill with acute diarrhea is recommended by drinking mineral salt solution (ORS) to prevent dehydration, which can lead to shock and death. If symptoms do not improve or if there are severe symptoms such as stool or blood in the stool or a lot of vomiting, dry mouth, little or no urine. Shortness of breath, etc. You should go to the public health service immediately.
In this regard, preventive measures should adhere to the principles “Eat cooked-hot-clean”: 1) Eat freshly cooked cooked food. Do not eat raw or uncooked food.2) Hot, cooked food stored for more than 2 hours should be reheated thoroughly before each consumption. Drink standard clean ice FDA or GMP mark or boiled water before eating and after going to the bathroom or touching dirt. For drinking water, the filter cabinet is regularly cleaned and quality checked. Filter regularly for safety. This should be done every time before cooking or assembling, or contact the Department of Disease Control hotline at 1422.
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Information: Division of Epidemiology/Division of Public Infectious Diseases/Bureau of Risk Communication, Department of Disease Control.
November 10, 2023
