Emergency in the 'Strongest Cold Wave' with Feels Like -19°C... "Beware of Hypothermia"

Although the Influenza Epidemic Has Passed Its Peak, Complications Remain a Risk for the Immunocompromised
With Wind Chill Dropping to Minus 19 Degrees Celsius, Beware of Hypothermia

With cold wave warnings issued across most regions nationwide, more than 230 cases of cold-related illnesses such as hypothermia have occurred this winter. Although the influenza (flu) epidemic has passed its peak and is declining, it remains at a higher level than usual. Moreover, for the elderly and immunocompromised individuals, there is a risk of worsening into other fatal complications such as pneumonia, making extra caution necessary.

On the 9th of last month, when a cold wave advisory was issued across Seoul and the entire metropolitan area, office workers were heading to work wearing thick coats and winter gear at the Sejongno intersection in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

According to the Infectious Disease Sentinel Surveillance by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on the 5th, the influenza-like illness (ILI) rate (suspected cases per 1,000 patients) in the fourth week of January was 36.5, showing a continuous decline for three weeks after peaking at 99.8 in the first week of January, then 86.1 in the second week, and 57.5 in the third week. However, this figure remains higher compared to the same period in 2023 (25.6) and 2024 (30.3).

The number of patients infected with the influenza virus and hospitalized in hospital-level medical institutions also sharply decreased from 1,468 in the first week of January to 1,627 in the second week, 1,239 in the third week, and 737 in the fourth week. While patients with viral respiratory diseases such as influenza and respiratory syncytial virus are decreasing, the number of patients infected with human metapneumovirus continues to rise, with about 254 currently hospitalized, which is higher than usual.

In particular, concerns about the dangers of flu and pneumonia have increased following the news that Taiwanese famous actor and singer Gu Junyeop’s wife, Xu Xiyuan (徐熙媛), died from pneumonia complications after contracting influenza. Pneumonia, which causes inflammation in the respiratory tract due to infection by viruses, bacteria, or fungi, can generally be treated with antibiotics and other therapies. However, in children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals, severe cases can lead to respiratory failure or death. For this reason, the government supports free pneumococcal vaccinations for those aged 65 and older, who have a higher incidence of pneumococcal infections.

As temperatures drop sharply, cold-related illnesses such as hypothermia and frostbite are also increasing. According to the cold-related illness emergency room surveillance system, from December 1 last year to February 2 this year, a total of 233 cold-related illness cases were reported at 514 emergency medical institutions nationwide. By gender, 158 cases (67.8%) were male and 75 cases (32.2%) were female. By age, one in three patients (33.5%) were super-elderly aged 80 or older.

Since the cold wave is forecasted to continue throughout this week, the number of patients may increase further. According to the Disease Control and Prevention Agency, 1,883 cold-related illness cases occurred over the past five years, with 42 deaths. Experts classify those with circulatory disorders or inadequate cold protection as frostbite risk groups, and those with excessive drinking or alcohol/drug intoxication as hypothermia risk groups.

Ji Young-mi, director of the Disease Control and Prevention Agency, emphasized, "Sudden cold can cause blood pressure to rise in patients with underlying conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and hypertension, worsening their symptoms. Elderly people and children, who have weaker body temperature regulation compared to healthy adults, should refrain from outdoor activities during cold waves and pay close attention to keeping warm both at home and when going out."

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