South Korea: Kimchi blamed for mass norovirus sickness

Around 1,000 people are suffering diarrhoea and vomiting linked to one city's school meals.

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Officials in Namwon City, in the south-west of the country, announced on Friday morning that there had been 996 confirmed cases - although local media reports say that number had climbed to 1,024 by early Saturday afternoon.

Authorities said the popular fermented cabbage dish had been distributed to those now sick through school meals in the city.

They added that students and staff from 24 schools were among the patients with vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pains.

Norovirus is very contagious and can be caught through touching contaminated surfaces - such as toilet flush handles - and from people who are already infected.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce58m22ljrro

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