Incheon City "Winter Respiratory Virus Infections Warning"

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] Incheon City has urged caution against respiratory virus infections during the winter season.

According to the weekly newsletter of the Infectious Disease Sentinel Surveillance by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, in the 43rd week of this year (October 16?22), the number of influenza-like illness (ILI) patients (patients with suspected symptoms) was 7.6 per 1,000 outpatients in Incheon, an increase from 6.2 the previous week.

Earlier, the health authorities issued an influenza epidemic advisory on September 16, surpassing the seasonal epidemic threshold of 4.9, marking the first such advisory in three years.

Typically, influenza in Korea circulates from November to April, but it did not spread for two years starting from 2020, the year COVID-19 emerged. This year, with the easing of quarantine measures, influenza began earlier than usual.

The Incheon Health and Environment Research Institute participates annually in the Influenza and Respiratory Virus Pathogen Surveillance Project (KINRESS), led by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, involving 17 metropolitan and provincial health and environment research institutes and 63 cooperating medical institutions nationwide.

Analysis of laboratory surveillance data conducted by the institute over the past four weeks showed that among eight respiratory pathogens, human metapneumovirus (HMPV) was detected most frequently at an average rate of 59.7%, followed by respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) at 20.5%.

These viruses are classified as Class 4 legally designated infectious diseases, with symptoms including fever, cough, sputum, runny nose, nasal congestion, and shortness of breath. In severe cases, they are known to cause bronchiolitis and pneumonia, and especially infants and young children need to be cautious of infection.

Kwon Moonju, director of the Incheon Health and Environment Research Institute, stated, "Since November, the daily confirmed COVID-19 cases have entered the 50,000 range, and other respiratory infectious diseases such as influenza are simultaneously spreading." He urged, "Please strictly adhere to personal quarantine rules such as hand washing, wearing masks, and observing cough etiquette, as well as infection control principles to prevent group outbreaks in childcare facilities for infants and young children and high-risk group facilities."

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