September Flu Alert After 12 Years... Concerns Over 'Multidemic' Overlapping with COVID-19

Suspected Influenza Cases Exceed Epidemic Threshold
Influenza Advisory Usually Issued in Winter
Bronchiolitis and Pneumonia Cause Fatal Risks for Children and Adolescents

On the 14th, when 93,981 new COVID-19 cases were reported, citizens who visited the screening clinic set up at Songpa-gu Public Health Center in Seoul were waiting to get tested. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Gun-chan] Following the 'twin-demic'?the simultaneous resurgence of COVID-19 and a sharp increase in influenza (flu) patients?there is a growing possibility of a 'multi-demic,' where multiple respiratory infectious diseases, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), spread concurrently. Experts have expressed the need for a comprehensive treatment plan for children and adolescents vulnerable to viral acute respiratory infections like RSV.

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency's (KDCA) 'Infectious Disease Sentinel Surveillance Weekly Newsletter' on the 19th, the number of suspected flu patients per 1,000 outpatients in the 37th week of this year (September 4?10) was 5.1. This is an increase of 0.4 from 4.7 in the previous 36th week. The number of suspected patients, which rose to the 4 range from the 34th week, exceeded 5 within three weeks. Over the past four years, the number of suspected patients per 1,000 outpatients in the 37th week was 4.3 in 2018, 3.6 in 2019, 1.4 in 2020, and 1.0 in 2021.

As the weekly number of suspected flu patients per 1,000 outpatients exceeded the epidemic threshold (4.9), the KDCA issued a flu epidemic advisory on the 16th. This is the first issuance in three years since 2019. The timing of the advisory was also earlier than usual. Flu epidemic advisories are typically issued in the winter months of November, December, and January. However, this time, it was issued in September for the first time in 12 years since 2010.

Over the past two years, personal hygiene practices such as mask-wearing and handwashing became routine, leading to a sharp decline in suspected flu patients. The number of suspected patients, usually around 3 to 4 per 1,000 outpatients by the 37th week, dropped to 1.4 in 2020 and 1.0 in 2021. However, as the number of suspected flu patients has risen again to above normal levels this year, health authorities are closely monitoring the situation.

Jung Ki-seok, Head of the COVID-19 Special Response Team at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, is briefing on the COVID-19 response status at the Government Seoul Office briefing room on the 16th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Im Sook-young, Situation General Manager of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, explained at a briefing on the 13th, "Influenza was almost nonexistent and maintained at a very low level for the past two years, but this year, since July, the incidence has shown an unusual upward trend." She added, "We believe an epidemic could occur slightly earlier than winter," and stated, "We are preparing countermeasures as there is a high possibility that influenza will spread simultaneously with COVID-19."

Not only influenza but also viral acute respiratory infections such as RSV are spreading. According to the KDCA, the number of RSV infections up to the last week of August reached 658 out of 4,374 respiratory specimens. This is a sharp increase compared to last year's 86 RSV infections out of 3,009 specimens. Additionally, 156 patients were hospitalized with RSV infections in the last week of August, whereas there were no hospitalizations during the same period last year.

Patients with acute respiratory infections such as rhinovirus and bocavirus have also increased on average sevenfold compared to a year ago. Metapneumovirus, which was not detected at all last year, was detected 63 times this year.

These acute respiratory infections cause bronchiolitis and pneumonia, which are particularly fatal to children and adolescents. The medical community suggests establishing a comprehensive treatment plan for children and adolescents to prepare for the so-called 'multi-demic.' This includes separate treatment and testing guidelines for children and adolescents, vaccination recommendations, and the establishment of regional transfer systems.

Citizens who visited the screening clinic at Yongsan-gu Public Health Center in Seoul are waiting to receive tests prepared on the 13th./Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

Jung Sung-kwan, Vice President of the Korean Association of Children's Hospitals, pointed out at a press conference on the 16th proposing a 'Comprehensive Treatment Plan for Children and Adolescents in Preparation for Multi-demic,' "If COVID-19 and its complications, influenza, and respiratory viruses occur simultaneously and in clusters in specific regions, there could be disruptions in pediatric care by region, potentially causing missed golden hours."

Park Yang-dong, President of the Korean Association of Children's Hospitals, emphasized on the same day, "Since pediatric patients cannot express their pain themselves when infected with COVID-19 or other infectious diseases, expert medical insight and supportive government policies are necessary."

He continued, "During the two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, pediatric influenza and other respiratory viruses did not spread significantly, leading to weakened herd immunity and anticipated difficulties and disruptions in treatment. The government needs to take a more proactive approach to vaccinating children aged 5?11 and under 5 years old, and consider expanding COVID-19 and influenza differential testing and health insurance fee coverage."

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