Seoul: The number of food poisoning cases reported in South Korea from January to August has already surpassed the total figure for 2024, government data revealed Monday. Experts have identified extreme heat waves as a significant factor contributing to this surge.

According to Yonhap News Agency, a total of 7,884 patients were recorded in the first eight months of this year, exceeding last year’s total of 7,624. This data was submitted by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety to Rep. Han Ji-a of the main opposition People Power Party. Norovirus was identified as the leading cause, accounting for 2,308 cases or 29.3 percent, with salmonella following at 825 cases or 10.5 percent.

The increase in food poisoning incidents was especially evident in group catering facilities like schools and child care centers. Elementary, middle, and high schools reported 2,066 cases during the eight-month period, marking a 39 percent rise from the 1,482 cases reported last year. Child care centers experienced an even more dramatic increase, with infections jumping more than 17 times to 810 from 47 in the same timeframe, while kindergartens saw cases more than triple to 370 from 112.

Experts attribute the sharp rise in cases to the extreme heat. The Korea Development Institute (KDI) released a report indicating that a 1°C rise in temperature results in approximately a 47 percent increase in salmonella cases.

“With the risk of food poisoning incidents significantly increasing due to the intensifying summer heat waves caused by climate change, the government needs to prepare comprehensive food safety measures in response to climate change,” Han emphasized.