Over 300 report food poisoning symptoms after eating gimbap at Gimje festival
In short
Visitors to the Jipyeongseon Festival (지평선축제) in Gimje, Jeonbuk, have reported food poisoning symptoms, with 313 people counted as of 5 p.m. on October 8, and health authorities have opened an epidemiological investigation. Most of those with symptoms had eaten gimbap, and salmonella and norovirus have been detected in some hospitalized patients. Gimbap has not yet been confirmed as the cause.
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Visitors to the Jipyeongseon Festival (지평선축제) in Gimje, Jeonbuk, have reported food poisoning symptoms, and health authorities have opened an epidemiological investigation. As of 5 p.m. on October 8, 313 people had reported symptoms, according to the Jeonbuk provincial government and Gimje city, Kyunghyang Shinmun and Korea Economic Daily reported; Yonhap's headline gave the same figure. Most of those with symptoms had eaten gimbap. [ 3 , 6 , 8 ]
About five people reported symptoms such as diarrhea and fever on October 5, the festival's last day. The count reached about 260 by 1 p.m. on October 8 and 282 by 3 p.m., according to Seoul Shinmun. Seoul Economic Daily said the 1 p.m. figure covered 132 reports. Reports were still coming in, several outlets said. People described vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain, and some had a high fever. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 , 7 , 8 ]
Kyunghyang Shinmun and Korea Economic Daily reported that more than 200 people were hospitalized or treated at hospital; Seoul Shinmun put the figure at more than 180 as of 3 p.m. Seoul Shinmun and Seoul Economic Daily said tests on 16 hospitalized patients found salmonella in 15 and norovirus in one. Kyunghyang Shinmun and Korea Economic Daily reported salmonella in 17 patients, norovirus in one and other pathogens, including sapovirus, in six. [ 3 , 4 , 7 , 8 ]
Dong-A Ilbo said most of those with symptoms had used the festival's food market, run by residents of local towns and districts, which sold dishes including boiled pork with rice, acorn jelly and gimbap; all but four of 260 bought food there on October 3. Seoul Economic Daily reported that 258 of 260 bought gimbap at one booth, which it called booth A, on October 2 and 3, and that the other two ate gimbap and udon at other booths. It said booth A was registered to sell food only during the festival. [ 2 , 7 ]
Authorities took samples from 13 workers who cooked and served food at the booth and sent ingredients, knives and cutting boards to the Jeonbuk Institute of Health and Environment (전북보건환경연구원), Kyunghyang Shinmun, Korea Economic Daily and Seoul Economic Daily reported. Seoul Economic Daily said samples from four people with symptoms were also taken and that final results on workers and utensils are due October 19; Kyunghyang Shinmun and Korea Economic Daily said results are expected in about two weeks. Maeil Business and Seoul Economic Daily said gimbap has not yet been confirmed as the cause. A health official quoted by Seoul Economic Daily said authorities would keep checking for further cases and continue the investigation until the exact cause is found. [ 3 , 5 , 7 , 8 ]
The festival, in its 28th edition according to Seoul Economic Daily, was held from October 1 to 5 around Byeokgolje in Gimje. [ 2 , 4 , 7 ]
Why it matters
Reports were still coming in on October 8, so the number of people affected may rise further, and test results on the cause are not expected for one to two weeks. Maeil Business wrote that the case raises concern over food safety at local festivals and could damage trust in them, and that thorough hygiene checks are needed to prevent a repeat.
Key facts
- 313 visitors had reported food poisoning symptoms as of 5 p.m. on October 8. [ 3 , 6 , 8 ]
- The Jipyeongseon Festival was held from October 1 to 5 around Byeokgolje in Gimje. [ 2 , 4 , 7 ]
- Most people with symptoms had eaten gimbap. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 7 , 8 ]
- Seoul Economic Daily reported that 258 of 260 people with symptoms bought gimbap at the same booth on October 2 and 3. [ 7 ]
- Of 16 hospitalized patients tested, 15 had salmonella and one had norovirus; two other outlets put salmonella cases at 17. [ 3 , 4 , 7 , 8 ]
- More than 200 people were hospitalized or treated at hospital, according to two outlets. [ 3 , 8 ]
- Samples from 13 booth workers, along with ingredients, knives and cutting boards, were sent for testing. [ 3 , 7 , 8 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Visitors to the Jipyeongseon Festival in Gimje reported food poisoning symptoms and health authorities began an epidemiological investigation. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 7 , 8 ]
- About five people reported symptoms such as diarrhea and fever on October 5, the festival's last day. [ 1 , 3 , 5 , 8 ]
- About 260 people had reported symptoms as of 1 p.m. on October 8. [ 1 , 2 , 5 , 7 ]
- 313 people had reported symptoms as of 5 p.m. on October 8. [ 3 , 8 ]
- Most people with symptoms had eaten gimbap. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 7 , 8 ]
- Salmonella was detected in some patients and norovirus in one. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 7 , 8 ]
- Samples were taken from 13 workers who cooked and served food at the booth, and ingredients, knives and cutting boards were sent to the Jeonbuk Institute of Health and Environment (전북보건환경연구원). [ 3 , 7 , 8 ]
Still unclear
- Whether the gimbap caused the illness. Maeil Business and Seoul Economic Daily reported that gimbap has not yet been confirmed as the cause.
- How many people were hospitalized. Seoul Shinmun reported more than 180 as of 3 p.m.; Kyunghyang Shinmun and Korea Economic Daily reported more than 200, with Korea Economic Daily including outpatient treatment.
- How many patients tested positive for salmonella. Dong-A Ilbo, Seoul Shinmun and Seoul Economic Daily reported 15; Kyunghyang Shinmun and Korea Economic Daily gave 17.
- When and where those with symptoms bought their food. Dong-A Ilbo said all but four of 260 bought food at the festival's food market on October 3; Seoul Economic Daily said 258 bought gimbap at one booth on October 2 and 3.
- When test results will be available. Seoul Economic Daily said final results on workers and utensils are due October 19; Kyunghyang Shinmun and Korea Economic Daily said about two weeks.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- On the festival's last day, about five people report symptoms such as diarrhea and fever. [ 1 , 3 , 5 , 8 ]
- Gimje city begins an in-depth epidemiological investigation, Seoul Shinmun reports. [ 4 ]
- About 260 people have reported symptoms. [ 1 , 2 , 5 , 7 ]
- 282 people have reported symptoms, according to Seoul Shinmun. [ 4 ]
- 313 people have reported symptoms. [ 3 , 8 ]
- Final test results on booth workers and cooking utensils are expected, according to Seoul Economic Daily. [ 7 ]