By Jung Min-ho
The Korean government has suspended sales and distribution of European pork products here after British media reported thousands of Britons may have caught the hepatitis E virus from pork products from other European countries.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said Thursday it will strengthen its inspections of pork products imported from Europe. Until further notice, sales and distribution of products such as sausages and ham will be suspended.
Symptoms of hepatitis E include fever, reduced appetite, nausea and vomiting, lasting for a few days; some may also experience abdominal pain, skin rash or joint pain. It occasionally develops into an acute, severe liver disease.
According to the World Health Organization, there is no treatment capable of altering the course of acute hepatitis E.
The ministry advised everyone to cook pork products properly before eating. It said they can kill the virus by cooking the food for several minutes at temperatures of 70 degrees Celsius or higher.
The Sunday Times reported earlier that between 150,000 and 200,000 Britons contract the virus each year because of pork products imported mainly from Germany and the Netherlands.