About 1,000 people in South Korea are suffering from food poisoning linked to kimchi contaminated with norovirus.
Authorities in the southwestern city of Namwon announced Friday morning that there were 996 confirmed cases – although local media reported that number had risen to 1,024 by early Saturday afternoon.
Officials said the popular fermented cabbage dish was distributed to those currently sick through the city’s school lunch system.
They added that students and staff from 24 schools were among the patients suffering from vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain.
Norovirus is highly contagious and can be caught by touching contaminated surfaces, such as toilet flush handles, and from people who are already infected.
Most people recover within a few days without needing hospital care, but some become very ill.
Namwon city officials said they launched an epidemiological investigation to find the source of the disease on Wednesday, after the first case was reported the day before.
Since then, the number of cases has risen rapidly, from 153 on Wednesday to 745 on Thursday.
In a social media post Thursday, the city’s mayor, Choi Kyung-sik, said health officials had adopted a “preemptive and excessive response” to try to prevent further spread of the disease.
“We will ensure the safety of our citizens,” he added.
City officials said norovirus has been detected among patients, in environmental samples and in some kimchi regularly delivered to schools.
As a result, its disaster and safety department has temporarily suspended production and sales of all products from the company that made the kimchi – which is also voluntarily recalling products that have already been distributed.
The company that produced the kimchi has not yet been officially named.
