Norovirus Outbreak: Essential Travel Information for Japan Trips

Text by MOOK Scenic Editor Team, compiled and reported

Travelers planning to visit Japan for New Year’s or Chinese New Year should take note. On the 27th, Taiwan’s CDC released epidemic surveillance data showing an increase in infectious gastroenteritis cases in Japan, with over 61,500 new infections reported in a single week — the third-highest weekly figure in the past decade. The CDC advises tourists heading to Japan to avoid eating raw fish such as sashimi, and recommends cooking shellfish like oysters before consumption to reduce the risk of infection.

In addition to raw seafood, norovirus can also be transmitted via the hands of food handlers. Once infected, symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea may appear within as little as 12 hours, and medical attention should be sought promptly. Norovirus has a strong ability to mutate, meaning those who have been infected before can still contract it again. Cold temperatures can also exacerbate outbreaks. Travelers visiting Japan, South Korea, China, and other regions are urged to stay vigilant and remain extra cautious to ensure a safer trip.