Ulsan Institute of Health and Environment Announces 2024 Respiratory Virus Surveillance Results in Ulsan Region

Acute Respiratory Viruses 53.2%
COVID-19 19.4%
Influenza 12.0%

The Ulsan Institute of Health and Environment announced the results of the 'National Respiratory Virus Integrated Surveillance Project' conducted in the Ulsan area over the past year.

This annual project is a national initiative led by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency to identify and prevent pathogens causing respiratory diseases. Virus testing is conducted on specimens provided once a week from five regional cooperative medical institutions.

A total of 1,146 cases were tested throughout 2024, with viruses detected in 969 cases (84.6%).

The detected viruses included 610 cases (53.2%) of acute respiratory viruses (7 types), 222 cases (19.4%) of COVID-19, and 137 cases (12.0%) of influenza.

Among the acute respiratory viruses, the most frequently detected were △Rhino 219 cases △Adeno 88 cases △Respiratory Syncytial Virus 71 cases, in that order.

Influenza viruses identified were △Type A-H1N1pdm09 38 cases △Type A-H3N2 28 cases △Type B-Victoria 71 cases.

Additionally, the monthly virus detection rate peaked in January (116.4%) and was lowest in November (48.9%).

Shim Min-ryeong, Director of the Institute of Health and Environment, stated, “The human metapneumovirus, which has recently been spreading in some countries, showed a slight increase compared to the previous week but is a virus that is consistently detected at around 5?10% annually.” She added, “We urge everyone to follow preventive measures such as vaccination, handwashing, and wearing masks to stay healthy during the winter. The institute will continue surveillance efforts to contribute to protecting public health.”

The results of this surveillance project can be found on the institute’s website under Data Room - Infectious Diseases - Influenza and Respiratory Virus Surveillance.

Ulsan Institute of Health and Environment Research.