Flu Epidemic Declines for 4 Consecutive Weeks... "Still Well Above Epidemic Threshold"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Byeon Seon-jin] The number of flu patients, which surged last winter, has been steadily decreasing since the beginning of this year.

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency's 'Infectious Disease Sentinel Surveillance Weekly Newsletter,' in the 4th week of January (22nd?28th), the proportion of patients showing suspected flu symptoms was 25.6 per 1,000 outpatients, a 9.5% decrease compared to the previous week (28.3 patients). Patients who visit hospitals or clinics with sudden fever over 38 degrees Celsius, cough, sore throat, and other symptoms similar to the flu are classified as suspected flu patients. The proportion of flu patients peaked at 60.7 in the last week of last year and has been declining for four consecutive weeks this year.

However, since this is still more than five times higher than the epidemic threshold of 4.9 for this season, it is too early to be complacent. During the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of suspected flu patients was almost nonexistent due to mask-wearing and social distancing measures, but as endemicity has been established and daily quarantine rules have been relaxed, more patients are appearing than in previous years.

The flu epidemic is especially concentrated among children. The proportion of pediatric suspected patients aged 7 to 12 is 42.9, and for those aged 1 to 6, it is also relatively high at 31.2. Because of this, pediatric hospitals are crowded with children and their guardians seeking flu diagnoses. The practice of 'open run,' where people arrive more than an hour before official hospital hours to get a number ticket in advance, is still ongoing.

Patients with viral gastroenteritis causing diarrhea, such as norovirus and rotavirus, are on the rise. Norovirus patients numbered 254, a 6.3% increase from the previous week (239), and group A rotavirus patients numbered 36, a 38.5% increase from the previous week (26). To prevent these infectious diseases, it is important to wash hands thoroughly and to clean and cook food properly before eating. If symptoms occur, it is advisable to refrain from going out, including work, for two days and to isolate at home.