Early 'Flu' Outbreak Continues... Acute Respiratory Infections in Infants and Toddlers on Alert

Amid the issuance of an "Influenza Epidemic Advisory," on the first day of free influenza vaccinations for children, pregnant women, and the elderly on the 21st, a child is receiving a vaccination at a pediatric clinic in Seoul. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] Following the issuance of an earlier-than-usual 'influenza epidemic advisory' last month, the number of patients with acute respiratory diseases has recently been increasing. In particular, the spread of 'human metapneumovirus,' which frequently occurs in infants and young children, has prompted health authorities to urge caution.

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) on the 17th, the influenza-like illness (ILI) rate per 1,000 outpatients in the 41st week of this year (October 2?8) was 7.0, maintaining the 7-point range for two consecutive weeks following the previous week's 7.1. Until the 39th week, the ILI rate was around 4.9, matching this year's epidemic threshold (4.9), but it surged by 44.9% in the 40th week compared to the previous week, significantly exceeding the epidemic threshold.

Moreover, the ILI rate among infants and young children aged 1 to 6 was 10.7, much higher than that of adults aged 19 to 49 (7.5), and 2.2 times above the influenza epidemic threshold. Among adolescents aged 13 to 18, the rate was 8.3, and among children aged 7 to 12, it was 6.1.

Other acute respiratory infections such as metapneumovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, and rhinovirus are also spreading. According to the KDCA, the number of domestic patients hospitalized due to these viral acute respiratory infections increased from 847 in the 38th week (September 11?17), to 896 in the 39th week, 992 in the 40th week, and reached 1,000 in the 41st week. This is more than double the 471 hospitalized patients during the same period last year.

In particular, the proportion of patients infected with human metapneumovirus increased from 24.8% during September 11?17 to 38.4% during October 2?8. Typically, human metapneumovirus infections increase from spring to summer, but this year, with the easing of social distancing measures due to COVID-19, infections have been rising from early autumn.

Human metapneumovirus infection is classified as a Class 4 legally designated infectious disease. Symptoms include fever, cough, sputum, runny nose, nasal congestion, and shortness of breath. In severe cases, it can cause lower respiratory tract infections such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia. There are no preventive vaccines or specific antiviral drugs, so symptomatic treatment using antipyretics is provided. It mainly occurs in infants and young children and spreads through direct transmission via respiratory droplets and indirect transmission through contact with secretions from infected individuals or contaminated objects. Children can shed the virus for up to three weeks and can transmit it during the symptomatic period.

Accordingly, health authorities have urged strict adherence to basic preventive measures such as handwashing and wearing masks. Especially in childcare facilities for infants and young children, they requested thorough compliance with infection control principles, including restricting attendance of staff and children with respiratory symptoms, regular ventilation, mask-wearing, and prohibiting the shared use of personal items to prevent cluster outbreaks.

Meanwhile, as the downward trend of the COVID-19 epidemic has stalled, there is a possibility of a rebound in COVID-19 cases coinciding with the influenza epidemic. At the advisory committee meeting on the 13th, Jeong Ki-seok, chairman of the National Infectious Disease Crisis Response Advisory Committee, emphasized the need to prepare for the simultaneous epidemic of COVID-19 and influenza, stating, "We need to prepare for the simultaneous spread of COVID-19 and influenza with the bivalent COVID-19 vaccine and influenza vaccination." He added, "Considering the current stable epidemic situation, reduced fatality rate, immunity acquisition status, vaccines, treatments, and medical response capacity, we must also prepare mid- to long-term response strategies after the 6th COVID-19 wave in advance."

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