Jung Min-ho has worked as a staff writer at The Korea Times since 2012, mostly covering social and political issues. He currently belongs to the Politics & City Desk where he covers topics such as health, labor and human rights. Prior to joining the team, he was responsible for covering North Korea and sports. His article about a biosecurity breach of Middle East respiratory syndrome won him an award from the Korea Science Journalists Association in 2016. He is also the co-author of the book, "Medical Pioneers of Korea" (2019). He served as the head of the international relations committee at the Journalists Association of Korea from 2021 to 2023.
Korean athletes, spectators advised to take precautions amid growing epidemic risks at Paris Olympics
Jin, second from left, a member of K-pop group BTS, takes the Olympic torch in Paris, Sunday (local time). As millions of athletes and foreign tourists are expected to gather in Paris next week for the first post-pandemic Olympics, a Korean government agency issued a guidance Tuesday to help its participants avert the risk of epidemics there. AP-Yonhap
By Jung Min-ho
Concerns remain amid fears of infectious diseases ahead of first post-pandemic Games
As millions of athletes and foreign tourists are expected to gather in Paris next week for the first post-pandemic Olympics, the Korean government issued a guidance, Tuesday, warning its participants of the risks of contracting infectious diseases there.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) issued health recommendations, urging athletes and other visitors to take precautions against the recent spread of infectious diseases in the European country ahead of the Games, scheduled to run from July 26 to Aug. 11.
This advisory comes amid an alarming rise in cases of measles, whooping cough and dengue fever among other diseases in France and its neighboring countries.
The agency assessed that the risk of infectious respiratory diseases such as whooping cough and measles is particularly high in Paris where as many as 15 million visitors from more than 200 countries are expected to arrive during the period.
“People who have not been vaccinated against hepatitis A, MMR (measles, mumps and rubella), tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough as well as those who need booster shots are advised to get vaccinated,” the agency said in a statement. “It is also important to carry mosquito repellent, and wear bright-colored long-sleeved shirts and long pants to reduce the risk of dengue fever, which can be transmitted through mosquito bite.”
The KDCA noted that one of the most effective ways to guard against such threats it to follow basic personal hygiene rules: Wash hands often, avoid eating raw foods and be careful not to cough or sneeze on others.
People await the arrival of the Olympic torch as part of the Olympic torch relay at Place de la Bastille in Paris, Monday (local time), ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games. AFP-Yonhap
Another major health risk at the Olympics is hot weather. According to a report published by British scientists last month, the forthcoming Olympics could be the hottest Summer Games on record due to unusually intense heat caused by climate change.
Earlier this month, organizers of the Olympics changed their original plan to keep the event free of air-conditioning under their green agenda and decided to allow other countries to order portable air-conditioner units at their own expense, amid the scorching heat and growing worries of temperature-related illnesses during the Games.
The KDCA said participants should be aware of that risk and take extra precautions to keep themselves hydrated by drinking water often and avoiding direct sunlight unless necessary.
“I hope the athletes and other visitors heed the vaccine recommendation and others so they can participate safely in and return from this year’s Summer Games, where a big number of spectators are expected, unlike the previous event held without them,” said Jee Young-mee, commissioner of the KDCA.
The agency said it will operate a special team dedicated to preventing and reducing the risk of contagious diseases during the Olympic period.