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Busan Metropolitan City Launches Full-Scale Infectious Disease Prevention and Response Measures for The 55th National Junior Sports Festival and the 20th National Youth Para Games

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Busan Metropolitan City, led by Acting Mayor Kim Kyung-duk, announced that it will fully implement infectious disease prevention and response measures to ensure the safe operation of The 55th National Junior Sports Festival and the 20th National Youth Para Games.

As large numbers of athletes, officials, and spectators from across the country are expected to gather and group meal services increase during the events, the risk of outbreaks of waterborne and foodborne infectious diseases is also expected to rise. In addition, the formation of crowded environments may increase the possibility of sporadic outbreaks of respiratory infectious diseases such as influenza.

Waterborne and foodborne infectious diseases refer to infections that primarily cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, and vomiting through the consumption of water or food contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms.

To protect the health of participants and spectators and proactively prevent the spread of infectious diseases, the city plans to implement systematic infectious disease management measures and devote full efforts to prevention and response activities.

From April 6 to May 6, the city commissioned the Busan Metropolitan City Institute of Health and Environment to conduct Legionella bacteria testing at 25 multi-use facilities, including accommodations. All facilities were confirmed to be safe.

Legionellosis is an acute respiratory disease caused by infection with pathogenic Legionella species.

The city has also strengthened its capacity to respond to group outbreaks such as food poisoning by carrying out intensive pest control in sanitation-vulnerable areas near stadiums, inspecting and maintaining facilities subject to mandatory disinfection such as accommodations and food service establishments, and conducting simulation training for waterborne and foodborne infectious disease outbreaks.

Before and after competitions, quarantine and disinfection procedures will be conducted at stadiums, along with surface disinfection of frequently touched areas such as entrances, shared handles, and restrooms.

In addition, Busan Metropolitan City plans to strengthen monitoring by establishing an integrated infectious disease surveillance and response system in cooperation with related organizations and to promptly deploy on-site epidemiological investigation teams in the event of suspected infectious disease cases.

Each stadium will be equipped at all times with quarantine supplies including masks, disinfectant wipes, and hand sanitizers. Posters promoting personal hygiene guidelines and providing instructions for reporting infectious disease cases will also be displayed throughout venues to encourage voluntary preventive practices.

Isolation spaces will also be prepared to ensure rapid response and prevent further spread in the event of suspected infectious disease cases.

Furthermore, to strengthen the infectious disease response capabilities of public officials, the city conducted basic infectious disease training today (May 8) for approximately 200 city officials. Preliminary quarantine training for approximately 80 district and county public health center officials is scheduled for May 12, followed by bioterrorism response training on May 13 for approximately 30 district and county officials responsible for bioterrorism response.

Acting Mayor Kim Kyung-duk stated, “We will do our utmost to ensure that all athletes and citizens participating in The 55th National Junior Sports Festival and the 20th National Youth Para Games can take part in the events safely and with peace of mind through thorough infectious disease prevention and rapid response measures.”

He added, “We ask all participating athletes, officials, and spectators to actively follow personal hygiene guidelines, including proper handwashing, wearing masks when experiencing respiratory symptoms, observing cough etiquette, and visiting medical institutions when necessary.”