Not Winter but Midsummer... Unusually Rising Trend of Influenza Patients

An unusual influenza (flu) outbreak is continuing even in the middle of summer. There are also a considerable number of patients infected with colds and COVID-19. Despite the repeated heatwaves and monsoon weather, health authorities have urged the public to adhere to personal hygiene guidelines as respiratory infectious diseases continue to spread.

According to the surveillance results from 196 nationwide clinic-level influenza sentinel surveillance institutions by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) on the 25th, the number of influenza-like illness (ILI) patients in the 28th week of this year (July 9?15) was recorded at 16.9 per 1,000 outpatients. This shows an increasing trend from 15.0 in the 25th week, 16.1 in the 26th week, and 16.3 in the 27th week. By age group, the ILI patients in the 28th week were highest among those aged 7?12 years (43.0), followed by 13?18 years (25.2), and 1?6 years (18.5).

Typically, influenza cases decrease as summer approaches. However, this year, the outbreak has not subsided even after late June, when the spring epidemic’s upward trend slowed. In particular, the influenza warning issued on September 16 last year has been maintained for over 10 months, the longest period on record.

Rhinovirus and adenovirus are also spreading. These viruses cause the common cold. Rhinovirus causes mild cold symptoms such as coughing, runny nose, and nasal congestion, with relatively fewer fever symptoms. Adenovirus causes various clinical symptoms including fever, cough, and runny nose.

According to the surveillance results of causative pathogens in respiratory patients collected through sentinel surveillance institutions (28th week), the detection rates of rhinovirus and adenovirus were 18.6% and 15.9%, respectively. The detection rate of COVID-19 was also 12.3%, indicating ongoing spread. The KDCA analyzes that various respiratory patients are spreading due to the easing of quarantine measures following the endemic declaration and the impact of the vacation season.

The KDCA emphasized that to prevent respiratory infectious diseases, individuals should practice personal hygiene rules such as washing hands with soap for more than 30 seconds before and after going out, observing cough etiquette, and wearing masks when respiratory symptoms occur, especially in enclosed, crowded places or summer vacation spots where human contact increases due to population movement.

Ji Young-mi, director of the KDCA, stated, “We recommend the general public to voluntarily wear masks when using multi-use facilities and public transportation. High-risk groups must wear masks without fail,” and added, “Masks must be worn indoors in admission-type facilities or hospital-level medical institutions among infection-vulnerable facilities.” She also urged, “If diagnosed with a respiratory infectious disease, please wear a mask and refrain from going out as much as possible to protect your own health as well as that of your family and neighbors.”

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