Flu Epidemic Continues... "Expectations to Reach Peak Soon"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Byeon Seon-jin] The flu epidemic continues this winter. As the increase in flu patients is slowing down, there are cautious predictions that the epidemic may soon reach its peak.

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) on the 7th, in the past week (December 25-31 last year), the number of influenza-like illness (ILI) patients was 60.7 per 1,000 outpatients, a 9.6% increase from the previous week (55.4). This figure is more than 12 times the epidemic threshold of 4.9 per 1,000 for the 2022-2023 flu season.

Among 1,000 patients visiting hospitals and clinics, 60 to 61 showed flu symptoms such as a high fever of 38℃ or above, cough, and sore throat. The number of suspected flu patients has been rising for 11 consecutive weeks since the third week of October last year (16-22).

Suspected patients aged 7 to 12 reached 154.6 per 1,000, which is 31.5 times the epidemic threshold. Those aged 1 to 6 and 13 to 18 were 67.1 and 133.7 per 1,000 respectively, increasing by 13.2% and 1.9% over the week.

The flu usually peaks in January, and since the rate of increase is slowing down, there are forecasts that the epidemic trend will soon subside. As the flu spreads through droplets, it is important to practice regular handwashing and observe cough etiquette in public places to prevent infection.

To respond to the flu epidemic, the government will sequentially supply 787,000 doses of antiviral drugs such as Tamiflu, which are stockpiled. This comes amid reports of Tamiflu shortages in domestic pharmacies due to the rise in flu patients. Currently, the government has stockpiled antiviral drugs sufficient for 12.92 million people.

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