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Borneo Post
4 days ago
- Borneo Post
Two men charged for sexual offences against underage girls
KOTA KINABALU (July 18): Two men were separately charged in a Sessions Court here today for committing sexual offences against underage girls. In the first case, 33-year-old Jumat Pilih pleaded not guilty to a charge of raping a 15-year-old girl. The offence was allegedly committed around 6pm on November 20, 2021, in a storeroom at the Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association (KDCA) grounds in Penampang. He was charged under Section 376(1) of the Penal Code, which carries a prison sentence of up to 20 years and whipping, upon conviction. The court fixed August 21 for pre-trial case management. Bail was set at RM10,000, with RM5,000 to be deposited, under two local sureties. Jumat was also ordered to report to the nearest police station twice a month and to surrender his passport. He was reminded not to interfere with prosecution witnesses. Deputy Public Prosecutor Nurul Shafeerah Mad Iskim appeared for the prosecution, while counsel Dominic Chew represented the accused. In a separate case, 43-year-old Olkestria Bandang pleaded not guilty before judge Hurman Hussain to a charge of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl. The alleged incident took place around 7pm in November 2024, inside a car at a parking lot in Inanam. He was charged under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which provides for imprisonment of up to 20 years and whipping, upon conviction. The court set October 17 for pre-trial case management and granted bail of RM3,000 under one local surety. Olkestria was also prohibited from approaching or harassing the victim, her family, and any prosecution witnesses. Deputy Public Prosecutor Fazriel Fardiansyah Abdul Kadir prosecuted, while counsel Nartiah F. Mirchelle Sambatan appeared for the accused.
Sinar Daily
13-07-2025
- Climate
- Sinar Daily
South Korea: Heat-related illnesses spikes 83 per cent on-year
Of the 875 patients, seven people presumably died from heatstroke, compared with three deaths in 2023. 13 Jul 2025 07:00pm Earlier in the day, the state weather agency issued the season's first heatwave warning for all of Seoul. - AFP file photo SEOUL - The number of people suffering heat-related illnesses has surged by more than 83 per cent from a year earlier as a heatwave hit the country earlier than usual this year, data showed on Monday. According to Yonhap News Agency, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) had identified 875 such patients as of Sunday this year, up 83.2 per cent from the corresponding tally for the same period last year. Commuters walk on a stairway that leads from an underground metro station to street level in Seoul on July 1, 2025. (Photo by ANTHONY WALLACE/AFP) The KDCA began tracking the number of heat-related patients on May 15. Of the 875 patients, seven people presumably died from heatstroke, compared with three deaths in 2023, the KDCA said. Earlier in the day, the state weather agency issued the season's first heatwave warning for all of Seoul. This year's first warning came 18 days earlier than last year, when the country experienced its worst heatwave on record. A heatwave warning is issued when the highest sensible temperature is expected to reach 35 degrees Celsius or higher for two or more consecutive days, or when major damage is anticipated from the heat. - BERNAMA-YONHAP More Like This
Korea Herald
10-07-2025
- Health
- Korea Herald
75% of South Korean adults don't exercise enough, data shows
Activity participation higher among younger men, rural regions Only about one in four South Korean adults engage in enough physical activity to meet recommended health standards, making the country one of the most physically inactive populations in the world, according to government data released Thursday. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency reported that only 26.6 percent of adults in the country engaged in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) at recommended levels in 2024. That means nearly three out of four Koreans do not get enough exercise. The moderate physical activity standard includes activities that are somewhat more physically demanding than usual and cause slightly heavier breathing -- such as leisurely swimming, doubles tennis, badminton or carrying light objects -- at least five times a week for 30 minutes. Vigorous activity, meanwhile, covers activities that are much more physically demanding and cause heavy breathing -- such as running, hiking, fast-paced cycling, squash and carrying heavy objects -- at least three times a week for 20 minutes. While the MVPA participation rate slowly rebounded post-pandemic, having dipped to an all-time low of 19.7 percent in 2021, the current 26.6 percent is still far below desirable levels, the agency said. 'It is encouraging that the rate of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity has been increasing since the return to daily life,' said KDCA Commissioner Jee Young-mee. 'However, as of 2022, the global physical inactivity rate was 31.3 percent, while South Korea's was 58.1 percent. That's about 1.9 times higher.' South Korea placed 191st among 195 countries surveyed by the World Health Organization -- a stark contrast to the global inactivity rate -- with Sweden at 8.7 percent, Denmark at 12.14 percent, and China at 23.83 percent. Inactivity is defined as performing less than 150 minutes of moderate physical activity or 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity per week. The analysis also found that South Korean men (30.2 percent) are more active than women (19.5 percent), and young adults in their 20s (32.3 percent) had the highest activity levels among all age groups. In particular, 42.2 percent of men in their 20s met MVPA standards -- the highest across all demographics -- while only 18.3 percent of men aged 70 and above did. Meanwhile, women did not show a consistent decrease with age. In fact, those in their 40s (22.9 percent) and 50s (21.8 percent) were more active than younger or older women, suggesting different patterns in physical activity between genders. Where you live matters Regional disparities were also evident. Sejong showed the highest increase in MVPA from 2021 to 2024, jumping 11.6 percentage points to 29.1 percent. Ulsan and North Chungcheong Province followed with similar gains. Meanwhile, Gwangju saw the smallest change over the same period, with just a 0.9 percentage point increase. Residents in areas outside the major cities were more physically active, likely due to the labor-intensive nature of agricultural and fishery jobs. In contrast, lower activity levels in metropolitan areas were attributed to sedentary urban lifestyles dominated by desk jobs and reliance on public or private transport. In 2024, Seoul recorded an MVPA rate of 26.8 percent, while North Gyeongsang Province saw a rate of 31.8 percent and Jeju Island recorded 33 percent. The KDCA also found significant correlations between physical inactivity and chronic or mental health issues. Adults without hypertension or diabetes were 1.1 times more likely to engage in MVPA than those with such diagnoses. Similarly, those without depressive symptoms were 1.2 times more likely to be physically active than those who experienced depression. 'This reinforces the critical link between physical activity and both physical and mental health,' the agency noted, urging more proactive public health measures. Jee Young-mee, the KDCA commissioner, called the situation alarming, noting that while Korea's activity levels are improving post-pandemic, they remain severely low by global standards. 'Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity is not just about disease prevention. It's essential for healthy aging and overall quality of life,' she said. 'Neglecting it can increase the risk of chronic illness and mental health decline.' Jee urged people to incorporate movement into their daily routines, even starting with small steps, and called for continued government investment in creating supportive environments for active living.
Korea Herald
09-07-2025
- Health
- Korea Herald
Is your summer safe? Cases of foodborne illness double in June
With South Korea entering the peak season for gastrointestinal illnesses, public health officials are urging heightened vigilance as cases linked to contaminated food and water nearly doubled in the past month. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on Wednesday, sentinel surveillance at 210 hospitals with 200 or more beds showed a sharp rise in two of the most common bacterial culprits. Salmonella infections rose from 66 patients in the first week of June to 127 by the fourth week, a 92.4 percent jump. Campylobacter, another leading pathogen in summer, recorded an even steeper trajectory: Related cases increased from 58 to 128 during the same period, more than doubling in four weeks. Another intestinal infectious disease, Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli, known locally as enterohemorrhagic E. coli, infected 133 people between January and June, up 30.4 percent from 102 in the same period last year. Three patients have developed Vibrio sepsis since the first case was confirmed on May 10; the bacterium flourishes in warm seawater and can cause rapid‑onset septic shock, particularly in people with chronic liver disease or diabetes. Symptoms The hallmark of these infections is sudden gastrointestinal distress such as cramps, nausea, vomiting and watery or bloody diarrhea. Mild fever is also common. While symptoms of Salmonella infection appear 6 to 72 hours after consuming contaminated food, Campylobacter infection generally begins 2 to 5 days after exposure. The latter comes with muscle pain as well, particularly among those with a weakened immune system. Vibrio sepsis adds chills and rapidly spreading skin lesions. Older adults, heavy drinkers and people with liver cirrhosis, diabetes or weakened immunity may face the greatest danger of complications. How pathogens spread Most summer outbreaks trace back to improper food handling in hot, humid kitchens. Salmonella thrives in eggs and egg products left at room temperature. Cross‑contamination is also common when someone handles infected eggs and then prepares other ingredients without washing their hands. Campylobacter is frequently found on the surface of raw meat as well as in unpasteurized dairy and untreated water. Campylobacter can easily exist on the surface of raw chicken, and a single splash of poultry juice onto ready‑to‑eat foods is enough to trigger illness. STEC infections typically originate from undercooked beef, raw produce irrigated with contaminated water, or unpasteurised milk. Once inside the gut, the bacteria can release toxins that cause severe abdominal cramps, bloody diarrhea and, in some cases, kidney failure. Vibrio vulnificus lives in coastal waters. Eating raw or under‑cooked seafood or allowing seawater to contact an open wound can lead to high fever, precipitous blood‑pressure drops, and, without prompt antibiotics, death. Steps to stay safe KDCA advises the public to treat summer kitchens as potential incubators. Hands should be scrubbed with soap under running water for at least 30 seconds before cooking, after handling raw meat or eggs and before eating. Perishable foods, including marinated meats, sliced fruit and prepared salads, must be kept below 5 degrees Celsius or above 60 C. All seafood, poultry and eggs should be cooked thoroughly. Tap water should be boiled, and fresh produce either peeled or rinsed well under clean running water. If two or more people who shared the same meal develop diarrhoea or vomiting, KDCA asks that the cluster be reported immediately to the nearest public health center so that investigators can trace the source and prevent a wider outbreak. 'With forecasts calling for a hotter‑than‑average summer, we must double down on basic hygiene and safe‑food practices,' KDCA Commissioner Jee Young‑mi said. 'These illnesses are largely preventable, but once infection occurs, the consequences can be severe.'
Straits Times
09-07-2025
- Health
- Straits Times
Is your Summer safe? Spike in foodborne illness in South Korea doubles in June
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Salmonella infections rose from 66 patients in the first week of June to 127 by the fourth week, a 92.4 per cent jump. SEOUL - With South Korea entering the peak season for gastrointestinal illnesses, public health officials are urging heightened vigilance as cases linked to contaminated food and water nearly doubled in June. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) on July 9, sentinel surveillance at 210 hospitals with 200 or more beds showed a sharp climb in two of the most common bacterial culprits. Salmonella infections rose from 66 patients in the first week of June to 127 by the fourth week, a 92.4 per cent jump. Campylobacter, another leading pathogen in summer, recorded an even steeper trajectory: Related cases increased from 58 to 128 during the same period, more than doubling in four weeks. Another intestinal infectious disease, Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli, known locally as enterohemorrhagic E. coli, infected 133 people between January and June, up 30.4 per cent from 102 in the same period in 2024. Three patients have developed Vibrio sepsis since the first case was confirmed on May 10; the bacterium flourishes in warm seawater and can cause rapid‑onset septic shock, particularly in people with chronic liver disease or diabetes. Symptoms The hallmark of these infections is sudden gastrointestinal distress such as cramps, nausea, vomiting and watery or bloody diarrhoea. Mild fever is also common. While symptoms of Salmonella infection appear six to 72 hours after consuming contaminated food, Campylobacter infection generally begins two to five days after exposure. The latter comes with muscle pain as well, particularly among those with a weakened immune system. Vibrio sepsis adds chills and rapidly spreading skin lesions. Older adults, heavy drinkers and people with liver cirrhosis, diabetes or weakened immunity may face the greatest danger of complications. How pathogens spread Most summer outbreaks trace back to improper food handling in hot, humid kitchens. Salmonella thrives in eggs and egg products left at room temperature. Cross‑contamination is also common when someone handles infected eggs and then prepares other ingredients without washing their hands. Campylobacter is frequently found on the surface of raw meat as well as in unpasteurised dairy and untreated water. Campylobacter can easily exist on the surface of raw chicken, and a single splash of poultry juice onto ready‑to‑eat foods is enough to trigger illness. Stec infections typically originate from undercooked beef, raw produce irrigated with contaminated water, or unpasteurised milk. Once inside the gut, the bacteria can release toxins that cause severe abdominal cramps, bloody diarrhoea and, in some cases, kidney failure. Vibrio vulnificus lives in coastal waters. Eating raw or under‑cooked seafood or allowing seawater to contact an open wound can lead to high fever, precipitous blood‑pressure drops, and, without prompt antibiotics, death. Steps to stay safe KDCA advises the public to treat summer kitchens as potential incubators. Hands should be scrubbed with soap under running water for at least 30 seconds before cooking, after handling raw meat or eggs and before eating. Perishable foods, including marinated meats, sliced fruit and prepared salads, must be kept below five deg C or above 60 deg C. All seafood, poultry and eggs should be cooked thoroughly. Tap water should be boiled, and fresh produce either peeled or rinsed well under clean running water. If two or more people who shared the same meal develop diarrhoea or vomiting, KDCA asks that the cluster be reported immediately to the nearest public health center so that investigators can trace the source and prevent a wider outbreak. 'With forecasts calling for a hotter‑than‑average summer, we must double down on basic hygiene and safe‑food practices,' KDCA Commissioner Jee Young‑mi said. 'These illnesses are largely preventable, but once infection occurs, the consequences can be severe.' THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
