Korea disease agency urges Asian Games returnees to watch for infections
In short
Korea's Disease Control and Prevention Agency asked athletes, supporters and travellers returning from the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games to report suspected infectious disease symptoms such as fever, rash, cough, diarrhoea or vomiting to quarantine officers at entry through Q-CODE or a health status questionnaire. It said people who develop symptoms after returning should limit contact with others and tell medical staff about their recent Japan trip. The agency also issued prevention guidance for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games in Japan from 18 to 24 October, citing higher infection risk at venues, the athletes' village and indoor training facilities.
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Korea's Disease Control and Prevention Agency asked athletes, supporters and travellers returning from the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games to check their health before and after entering the country and to report suspected infectious disease symptoms to the authorities, Yonhap reported on 6 October. [ 1 ]
At entry, suspected symptoms including fever, rash, cough, diarrhoea and vomiting should be reported to quarantine officers through Q-CODE or a health status questionnaire, the agency said. If symptoms appear after returning home, it advised people to reduce contact with others, visit a medical institution and tell medical staff about their recent visit to Japan before receiving treatment. [ 1 ]
The agency also urged Korean athletes, officials and supporters travelling to the fifth Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games in Japan from 18 to 24 October to follow infectious disease prevention rules. It said the risk of respiratory and water- and food-borne infections rises at mass-use facilities such as venues, the athletes' village and indoor training grounds, because large crowds gather at once. [ 1 ]
During their stay, the agency said, people should wash their hands with soap under running water for at least 30 seconds, avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands, and wear masks and follow cough etiquette in enclosed places such as indoor sports facilities and restaurants. It also advised eating thoroughly cooked food, drinking safe or boiled water, and using insect repellent and wearing light-coloured long-sleeved clothes outdoors to avoid tick and mosquito bites. [ 1 ]
Newsis reported under a headline saying that the Asian Games were over but that infectious disease management should not be relaxed. The article text available with that headline did not contain the report's details. [ 2 ]
Why it matters
The guidance covers the large group of athletes, officials, supporters and travellers moving between Japan and Korea after a major multi-sport event, setting out the channel for reporting symptoms at entry and the steps to take if symptoms appear later. By extending the same advice to the Asian Para Games from 18 to 24 October, the agency signals that health monitoring is meant to continue through the next event in Japan.
Key facts
- The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency asked athletes, supporters and travellers returning from the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games to check their health before and after entry. [ 1 ]
- Suspected symptoms at entry — fever, rash, cough, diarrhoea and vomiting — should be reported to quarantine officers through Q-CODE or a health status questionnaire. [ 1 ]
- People who develop symptoms after returning were advised to reduce contact with others, visit a medical institution and tell medical staff about their recent visit to Japan. [ 1 ]
- The agency also urged Korean athletes, officials and supporters going to the fifth Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games in Japan from 18 to 24 October to follow infection prevention rules. [ 1 ]
- It said the risk of respiratory and water- and food-borne infections rises at venues, the athletes' village and indoor training facilities because large crowds gather at once. [ 1 ]
- Advice for the stay included washing hands with soap for at least 30 seconds, wearing masks and following cough etiquette in enclosed places, eating cooked food and drinking safe or boiled water, and using insect repellent and light-coloured long sleeves outdoors. [ 1 ]
- Newsis reported that the Asian Games had ended but that infectious disease management should not be relaxed. [ 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games schedule has ended and participants are returning home. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency issued health guidance for returning participants and travellers, including reporting suspected symptoms at entry and seeking care if symptoms appear later. [ 1 ]
- The fifth Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games will be held in Japan from 18 to 24 October, and the agency issued prevention guidance for Korean participants, officials and supporters going there. [ 1 ]
Still unclear
- Whether any infectious disease cases have been detected among returnees. The documents give only precautionary guidance and do not report any cases or figures.
- Which specific infectious diseases the agency is concerned about. The documents list symptoms and prevention measures but do not name particular diseases or their incidence.
- Details of how Newsis covered the advisory beyond its headline. The article text available under the Newsis headline does not deal with this event, so only the headline could be used.