Gyeonggi Health and Environment Research Institute Issues Warning on 'Parainfluenza Virus'... 14 Cases Reported

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Gyeonggi Province has urged special caution as the number of patients infected with the parainfluenza virus, a respiratory infectious disease showing symptoms similar to COVID-19, has surged.

According to the Gyeonggi Provincial Institute of Health and Environment on the 27th, since the first patient was confirmed in the province on the 8th of this month, there have been 14 patients detected with the parainfluenza virus as of the 26th. Notably, 8 of these cases were part of a cluster outbreak at daycare centers within the province.

This is the first time in 20 months that parainfluenza virus patients have been reported in Gyeonggi Province since 4 cases in January and February of last year. The numbers had temporarily declined due to COVID-19, with 84 cases in 2019 and 4 cases in 2020, but have surged again this year.

Parainfluenza virus infection, one of the acute respiratory infections, is classified as a Class 4 legally designated infectious disease. It spreads through direct contact with secretions from infected individuals or via droplets.

Main symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, phlegm, sore throat, wheezing, muscle pain, and vomiting. It can cause lower respiratory tract infections such as croup (acute laryngotracheobronchitis), characterized by a barking cough, bronchiolitis, and pneumonia.

Patients with normal immune function mostly recover after rest without special treatment or preventive vaccines. Conservative treatments such as fluid supplementation and antipyretics are used, and patients are advised to limit contact with others and rest while symptomatic.

Oh Jo-gyo, director of the Gyeonggi Provincial Institute of Health and Environment, emphasized, "Respiratory infectious diseases, which had subsided during the COVID-19 pandemic, are now rapidly increasing. To prevent further spread, it is important to thoroughly follow personal hygiene rules such as proper handwashing and cough etiquette." He added, "Especially since infections among children under six years old are increasing, managing infectious diseases in childcare facilities such as daycare centers and kindergartens is crucial."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.