Even You Who Resemble COVID... 'Parainfluenza Infection' Epidemic in Yeongnam, Nationwide Spread Feared

Ulsan Health and Environment Research Institute Reports 7 Recent Cases Including Infants... Nationwide Occurrences Reported

On the 7th, citizens continued to visit the temporary screening clinic at Seoul Station to get tested. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Kim Yong-woo] Another virus with symptoms similar to COVID-19 has begun to spread in the Yeongnam region, causing health authorities to be on alert.

The Ulsan Health and Environment Research Institute announced on the 8th that the 'Parainfluenza virus,' which has symptoms similar to COVID-19, is currently spreading and requires caution.

The Parainfluenza virus started to occur mainly in the Yeongnam region from late August and has recently been reported nationwide.

It is especially known to be spreading rapidly among infants and young children. Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, muscle pain, and vomiting.

The Health and Environment Research Institute is monitoring the patterns of respiratory virus outbreaks occurring in the Ulsan area and is gathering information on respiratory infectious diseases through the 'Influenza-Respiratory Virus Laboratory Surveillance Project' for early detection of disease outbreaks.

In Ulsan, throat swab samples from patients with respiratory symptoms visiting local medical institutions are tested weekly for influenza and eight types of respiratory viruses.

As a result, the Parainfluenza virus was detected in 2 out of 7 cases last week and 5 out of 10 cases this week.

This number is more than double compared to the total of 3 Parainfluenza virus cases detected in the Ulsan region last year.

Parainfluenza virus infection, one of the acute respiratory infections, is classified as a Grade 4 legally notifiable infectious disease and is transmitted through direct contact with secretions from infected individuals or droplets.

There is no preventive vaccine or specific antiviral treatment; symptomatic treatment such as fluid replacement and antipyretics can be administered.

An institute official stated, “To prevent infection, it is important to follow quarantine rules such as handwashing, wearing masks, and social distancing, similar to COVID-19 prevention measures.”

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