Flu Spreads Again After Four Weeks of Decline... Health Authorities Urge Vaccination

The flu outbreak, which had experienced a temporary slowdown, has turned back to an upward trend after four weeks.

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), the flu epidemic, which had been slowing down for about three weeks, began to show a slight increase during the 43rd week of this year (October 18 – 24), centered mainly around school-aged children such as elementary school students.

Data from the KDCA's sample surveillance showed that the fraction of suspected flu patients (patients exhibiting a fever of 38°C or higher along with coughing or a sore throat) at clinic-level medical institutions in the 43rd week of this year stood at 19.2 per 1,000 outpatients, a slight increase compared to 17.7 the previous week.

The proportion of suspected flu patients recently decreased to 23.6 in the 40th week, 21.6, and 17.7 in the 42nd week, before rebounding in the 43rd week.

By age group as of the 43rd week, patients were mostly concentrated among school-aged children and infants, with 49.0 per 1,000 for those aged 7 to 12 and 31.7 for those aged 1 to 6.


A KDCA official stated, "Patients are mainly emerging around school-aged children and childcare facility attendees," and urged, "Since this year's flu epidemic could persist for a long time spanning through autumn, winter, and into next spring, please adhere to personal hygiene rules such as frequent handwashing and wearing masks, and encourage children and the elderly to get vaccinated."

(Photo provided by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.