KDCA Issues 'Influenza Epidemic Alert' Nationwide

Reinstated After 5 Months Since July This Year
Disease Control Director Urges "High-Risk Groups to Get Vaccinated Quickly"

The quarantine authorities will issue a nationwide influenza (flu) epidemic advisory as of the 20th.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) announced on the 19th that it decided to issue the epidemic advisory after holding a joint task force meeting on respiratory infectious diseases with related ministries chaired by the commissioner on the 18th to assess the situation. This epidemic advisory is being issued for the first time in five months. Previously, it was issued in September 2022 and lifted in July this year after 22 months.

On September 20, when free influenza (flu) vaccinations began ahead of winter, a notice for flu vaccination was posted at an otolaryngology clinic in Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang

According to the KDCA, the influenza-like illness (ILI) rate for the 50th week of this year, from the 8th to the 14th, was 13.6 per 1,000 outpatients, exceeding the epidemic threshold of 8.6 for this season. The ILI rate refers to the number of influenza-like illness patients per 1,000 outpatients based on nationwide sample surveillance of respiratory infectious diseases at clinics.

In the 47th week, the ILI rate was 4.8, 5.7 in the 48th week, and 7.3 in the 49th week, showing an increase in influenza-like illness cases at 300 sample surveillance institutions over the past four weeks. By age group, as of the 50th week, those aged 13 to 18 had the highest incidence at 36.9, followed by ages 7 to 12 (24.7), and 19 to 49 (18.2).

The KDCA informed that the influenza virus currently circulating is type A, which is very similar to the vaccine strain for this season, so sufficient vaccine effectiveness can be expected. Ji Young-mi, commissioner of the KDCA, said, "In preparation for the possibility of a larger influenza outbreak during the winter season, we urge seniors, immunocompromised individuals, pregnant women, and children who have not yet received the influenza vaccination to get vaccinated promptly."

The quarantine authorities plan to continue operating the joint task force to prepare for the epidemic situation.