Summer Cold 'Parainfluenza' Epidemic... "May Be a Precursor Symptom of Influenza Outbreak"

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jung] The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (Director Jeong Eun-kyung) has warned that the increasing trend of parainfluenza virus infections continues. They also emphasized that, unlike last year, there is a possibility of an influenza (flu) outbreak, making adherence to personal hygiene guidelines even more important.

Lee Sang-won, head of the Epidemiological Investigation and Analysis Division at the Central Disease Control Headquarters, stated at a regular briefing on the 2nd, "Parainfluenza is currently spreading," and added, "The majority of the positive detection rates currently observed are judged to be parainfluenza."

Parainfluenza virus infection spreads through direct contact with secretions from infected individuals or via droplet transmission, and in Korea, it mainly occurs from April to August.

Most cases exhibit mild symptoms such as fever, cough, and runny nose, but in severe cases, it can cause lower respiratory tract infections such as croup (acute laryngotracheobronchitis), characterized by a barking cough in children, bronchiolitis, or pneumonia. Treatment is symptomatic, including antipyretics and fluid supplementation.

Since the end of August, the number of parainfluenza virus infection cases has started to increase among infants under six years old, mainly in the Yeongnam region, and recently cases have been reported nationwide.

According to pathogen surveillance results from clinics and specialized testing medical institutions, the detection rate of parainfluenza virus from mid-last month (October 17 to October 23) was 62.5% and 79.1%, respectively, showing an increase compared to the same period last year.

Lee explained, "Parainfluenza is commonly known as the 'summer cold' and usually spreads from late spring to late summer, not in the middle of winter," adding, "It has been the pattern that it disappears after October, but this year is quite an exceptional case, with the majority of positive detections currently being parainfluenza."

He emphasized, "Parainfluenza and influenza are completely different viruses, but they share the same viral envelope," and said, "Parainfluenza did not spread last year, but the fact that a virus with this envelope is spreading can be seen as a precursor indicating the possibility of an influenza outbreak, so please make sure to get the influenza vaccination."

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, respiratory infectious diseases have significantly decreased due to improved personal hygiene practices such as proper handwashing and mask-wearing, as well as social distancing measures like online classes and reduced outings, which lowered person-to-person contact frequency and overseas travel.

However, with the recent increase in COVID-19 vaccination rates and relaxation of social distancing, mobility has increased, potentially leading to a rise in respiratory infectious diseases transmitted through person-to-person contact. The risk of respiratory infections is also growing among children vulnerable to infection due to the reopening of childcare facilities and schools.

To prevent respiratory infections, it is important to follow personal hygiene rules such as handwashing and cough etiquette and avoid crowded places whenever possible. The Disease Control Agency recommends that children under 12 years old receive vaccinations according to the schedule to block the transmission of vaccine-preventable respiratory infectious diseases such as chickenpox, mumps, and pertussis.

Lee added, "It is difficult to accurately predict how influenza, COVID-19, and parainfluenza will behave in the future," but noted, "However, the possibility of influenza and COVID-19 co-circulating is much higher than last year."

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