The Number Of Toxic Cases In South Korea Exceeds 2024, Influenced By Heat Waves

JAKARTA - The number of cases of food poisoning reported in South Korea in the January-August 2025 period has exceeded the total number of cases in 2024, according to government data released on Monday.

Experts cited extreme heat waves as the main factor related to the increase in the number of food poisoning cases.

A total of 7,884 patients were recorded in the first eight months of this year, surpassing last year's overall figure of 7,624, according to documents submitted by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety to lawmaker Han Ji-a of the People's Power Party, reported The Korea Times October 6.

According to pathogens, the norovirus accounts for the largest portion with 2,308 cases, or 29.3 percent, followed by salmonella with 825 cases, or 10.5 percent.

This increase is particularly seen in group catering facilities, such as schools and child care centers. The number of cases in elementary, junior high and upper schools reached 2,066 in eight months, up 39 percent from 1,482 cases over the past year.

Meanwhile, infections at child care centers jumped more than 17 times to 810 from 47 cases during the mentioned period, while kindergarten cases increased more than threefold to 370 from 112 cases.

Separately, experts say the sharp increase is closely related to extreme hot temperatures.

According to a report released by the Korean Development Institute (KDI), a temperature increase of 1 degree Celsius caused an increase in salmonella cases by around 47 percent.

"With the risk of food poisoning significantly increasing due to summer waves that are intensifying due to climate change, the government needs to prepare comprehensive food safety measures in response to climate change," said Han.