Gwangju Influenza Detection Rate Hits 20.8%... Respiratory Illness Alert for New School Year

Health and Environment Research Institute Urges Adherence to Handwashing and Cough Etiquette

With the start of the new school year, concerns are rising over the spread of respiratory infectious diseases as more students return to school and participate in group activities. In the Gwangju area, the influenza virus detection rate exceeded 20% over the past four weeks, accounting for a significant proportion of cases. The Gwangju Metropolitan City Health and Environment Research Institute advised the public to adhere to personal hygiene practices such as handwashing and proper cough etiquette, noting that the virus could remain prevalent through the spring season.

A researcher at the Gwangju Metropolitan City Health and Environment Research Institute is reviewing the results of respiratory virus specimen analysis. Provided by Gwangju City.

According to Gwangju City on March 12, the Gwangju Metropolitan City Health and Environment Research Institute, in cooperation with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, is operating the National Integrated Surveillance Project for Respiratory Viruses at local affiliated medical institutions. The institute continuously monitors nine major respiratory viruses, including influenza and COVID-19, by analyzing specimens from patients suspected of having respiratory infections.

During the past four weeks (February 1–28, 2026, corresponding to epidemiological weeks 6–9), test results in the Gwangju area showed that the average weekly detection rate for viruses was as follows: influenza (flu) at 20.8%, COVID-19 at 14.9%, rhinovirus at 8.4%, and respiratory syncytial virus at 8.3%. Influenza accounted for the highest proportion, and the national situation showed a similar trend. Nationwide detection rates during the same period were 36.1% for influenza, 11.6% for human coronavirus, 10.4% for rhinovirus, and 10.3% for respiratory syncytial virus.

Looking at the same period last year, respiratory virus detection rates peaked in January, dropped temporarily in February, and then showed an increasing trend again from March. In fact, the average weekly detection rate of influenza rose from 12.5% in February last year to 16.1% in March.

The Health and Environment Research Institute explained that caution is needed again this year, as respiratory infectious diseases may remain prevalent through the spring season.

Although influenza mainly occurs in winter, it is an infectious disease that can continue to spread through spring. Wastewater surveillance, conducted alongside respiratory virus monitoring, also showed that the concentration of influenza was higher than that of other respiratory viruses.

Unlike the common cold, influenza symptoms can include systemic symptoms such as high fever and chills, along with respiratory symptoms like cough and sore throat. Annual vaccination is recommended for prevention, and antiviral drugs and other treatments are also used.

Jung Hyuncheol, Director of the Gwangju Metropolitan City Health and Environment Research Institute, stated, "As group activities among students increase with the new school year, the risk of transmission of respiratory infectious diseases may rise. Please make it a part of your daily routine to follow basic personal hygiene measures such as washing your hands before and after going out, practicing proper cough etiquette, and ventilating indoor spaces."

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