[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency stated that it is difficult to predict whether influenza (flu) will spread this year, but it recommends actively participating in vaccination to prepare for a potential outbreak.
On the 1st, Hong Jeong-ik, head of the Vaccination Management Team at the Vaccination Response Promotion Group, said in a background briefing, "Influenza did not spread last year," adding, "The main reason is that there was no influenza outbreak abroad, and there were few cases imported from overseas."
Hong explained, "Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, strengthened quarantine measures, and reduced international travel, personal hygiene such as mask-wearing has been enhanced in our country as well, leading to a decrease not only in influenza but also in respiratory infectious diseases overall."
He added, "Although there are no signs of an outbreak this year either, there are forecasts that if conditions remain the same, there will be no outbreak, but there are also predictions that if the reasons why there was no outbreak last year disappear, an outbreak could occur this year."
Hong assessed, "If the reduction in international travel and social distancing that led to fewer gatherings continues, the pattern will be similar to last year, but if mask-wearing and other measures are neglected and changes occur, influenza could spread."
He continued, "Currently, many elderly people are getting vaccinated, but it is very difficult to predict whether an outbreak will occur or not, so if there is an opportunity to get vaccinated, we strongly recommend doing so," adding, "This is to prepare for a possible outbreak."
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