Flu Cases Soar Among Children and Adolescents... 14 Times Higher Than Last Year

Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency Reports 30% Weekly Increase in Suspected Influenza Cases

As the influenza (flu) epidemic expands, there has been a sharp increase in cases among school-aged adolescents.

On the 11th, the examination rooms at Woori Children’s Hospital in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, were bustling with children waiting to receive medical care. Photo by Yonhap News

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on November 21, during the 46th week of this year (November 9-15), the number of suspected flu patients per 1,000 outpatients at 300 sample surveillance clinics reached 66.3, a 30.8% increase from the previous week’s figure of 50.7.

The number of suspected cases per 1,000 outpatients has been rising rapidly, from 7.9 in the 42nd week, to 13.6 in the 43rd week, and 22.8 in the 44th week. The number of suspected cases in the 46th week is 14.4 times higher than the same period last year (4.6 cases).

By age group, the number of suspected cases per 1,000 outpatients was concentrated among school-aged adolescents, with 170.4 among those aged 7-12 and 112.6 among those aged 13-18.

Trend of Influenza-Like Illness Patient Proportion

The influenza virus detection rate at clinic-level medical institutions increased from 19.0% in the 44th week to 36.9% in the 46th week. This is about 10 times higher than the detection rate during the same period last year (3.6%).

At hospital-level medical institutions, the number of hospitalized influenza patients reached 490 in the 46th week, continuing an upward trend for four consecutive weeks.

The number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients at hospital-level institutions decreased from 201 in the 44th week, to 153 in the 45th week, and 145 in the 46th week. However, compared to the 46th week last year (67 patients), this is more than double.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency has recommended getting vaccinated against both flu and COVID-19 before the full onset of winter. Since September 22, the agency has been providing national immunization programs for seniors, children, and pregnant women.

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