Thousands of students and teachers in South Korea are suffering from food poisoning after eating kimchi

Authorities in South Korea have detected norovirus in a food poisoning outbreak that left thousands of students and teachers vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain after eating kimchi.

South Korean media are reporting an outbreak of food poisoning Tuesday in the southwestern city of Namwon. As of Saturday afternoon, the number of confirmed cases had risen to 1024.

Authorities say students and staff at 24 schools have developed symptoms of food poisoning after eating kimchi distributed at school meals. Most of those affected were not hospitalized, but some were in serious condition.

According to the report, authorities in Namwon City have detected norovirus in patients, environmental samples and some kimchi that is regularly sent to schools.

Authorities have ordered companies to suspend production and sales of kimchi and other foods, and companies have voluntarily recalled food already distributed.

Norovirus is highly contagious, is a more common gastroenteritis virus, easy to spread in crowded places.