"Will the Flu Trend Decline During Vacation?"... Youth Influenza Cases Double in One Week

30.3 Suspected Flu Cases per 1,000 Outpatients... 119.7 Cases among Adolescents

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] As the midwinter cold intensifies, influenza (flu) cases are rapidly increasing, especially among adolescents.

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on the 17th, the proportion of suspected influenza patients (clinically diagnosed cases) nationwide, based on data collected from 197 sentinel surveillance medical institutions during the week of December 4 to 10 (the 50th week of 2022), rose to 30.3 per 1,000 outpatient visits.

This is a 75% surge from 17.3 per 1,000 outpatients the previous week. It is the highest figure so far this year, 6.2 times the 2022-2023 influenza season epidemic threshold of 4.9 per 1,000.

The proportion of suspected influenza patients has been rising for eight consecutive weeks, increasing from 6.2 per 1,000 outpatients in the second week of October (October 9?15) to 7.6, 9.3, 11.2, 13.2, 13.9, 15.0, 17.3, and finally 30.3 per 1,000.

In particular, suspected cases among adolescents more than doubled in one week. The number of suspected influenza patients aged 13 to 18 reached 119.7 per 1,000 outpatients, a significant increase from 58.1 per 1,000 the previous week. Compared to the epidemic threshold for this season, this is 24.4 times higher. For ages 7 to 12, it was 58.9 per 1,000 outpatients, and for ages 19 to 49, 36.7 per 1,000, indicating that mainly children, adolescents, and young to middle-aged adults are driving the flu epidemic.

As the previously slowing increase in COVID-19 cases has recently resumed, the flu epidemic is also intensifying, raising concerns about the supply of cold medicines and securing hospital beds. Attention is also focused on whether the flu epidemic will influence the ongoing review by health authorities regarding adjustments to the indoor mask-wearing mandate.

Im Suk-young, the Situation General Manager of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, said at a COVID-19 response direction forum the day before, "Influenza cases tend to increase as winter begins, then decline during school vacations, and rise again after school resumes. I think the risk of influenza will significantly decrease during the vacation period."

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