The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) has reported a significant surge in norovirus infections. As of the second week of January 2026, the number of cases reached 548, marking the highest level in the past five years. Notably, children aged 0 to 6 accounted for 39.6% of all cases, raising concerns about outbreaks in childcare centers and kindergartens. Authorities are urging strict adherence to hygiene guidelines, especially in facilities catering to young children.
According to surveillance data from 210 hospitals, norovirus cases have been steadily increasing since the first week of November 2025. Age distribution for the second week of January 2026 shows 39.6% in ages 0-6, 24.8% in 7-18, 17.7% in 19-49, 5.7% in 50-64, and 12.2% in those 65 and older. In 2025, there were 627 group infection cases, with norovirus confirmed as the cause in 102 cases; 61.8% of these were due to person-to-person transmission, and 71.4% of those occurred in childcare facilities.
Norovirus typically spreads from late autumn to early spring (November to March) and can be transmitted through contaminated water or food, direct contact with infected individuals, or aerosolized vomit. Symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, chills, and fever usually appear within 12 to 48 hours of infection. KDCA Commissioner Seungkwan Lim emphasized the importance of handwashing, consuming properly cooked food, staying home after symptoms, and thorough disinfection to prevent further spread.
Looking ahead, the risk of group outbreaks in childcare facilities remains high. Active involvement from parents and teachers in guiding proper hygiene practices is essential. Rapid isolation of patients and thorough cleaning of environments are key to controlling the spread. Raising public awareness and strengthening preventive education will be crucial in mitigating future outbreaks.
The recent spike in norovirus cases highlights the critical need for robust hygiene management, especially in environments with young children. Beyond individual practices, systematic facility-level disinfection, isolation protocols, and ongoing education for caregivers are vital. Implementing AI-driven surveillance systems to monitor infection trends and identify high-risk areas in real time could greatly enhance early response and containment efforts.