Gwangju City and Districts Hold Response Meeting... Emergency System Maintained
"Seniors and Children Should Get Vaccinated... Strict Personal Hygiene Urged"
Gwangju City has strengthened its response system for respiratory infectious diseases, including the rapidly spreading influenza, in preparation for the Lunar New Year holiday, a period marked by large-scale travel and gatherings.
According to Gwangju City on the 21st, the city held an "Infectious Disease Response Meeting for the Lunar New Year Holiday" with public health centers in its five districts the previous day to review the current status of responses to respiratory infectious diseases, including influenza. Influenza, also known as the flu, is an acute respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus, which produces symptoms similar to a cold.
The number of influenza-like illness (ILI) patients nationwide was recorded at 86.1 per 1,000 people in the second week of this year (January 5-11). Although this represents a 13.7% decrease from the previous week, it remains the highest level since 2016.
In Gwangju, the number of ILI patients during the same period was 111.5 per 1,000 people, significantly higher than the national average. However, this figure marks a 6.30% decrease compared to the previous week, indicating that the peak of the outbreak may have passed, though the situation is not yet reassuring.
Accordingly, the city plans to maintain a close emergency contact system with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and the five districts to respond swiftly to any outbreaks. During the holiday period, Gwangju will identify medical institutions offering influenza vaccinations and inform citizens accordingly. The city will also encourage vaccinations and promote infectious disease prevention guidelines.
As concerns about infection spread grow during the holiday, the city urged vulnerable groups, including seniors aged 65 and older, children, and pregnant women, to get vaccinated against influenza and to strictly follow personal hygiene practices such as wearing masks.
Kang Yunseon, Director of Public Health and Medical Services, emphasized, "To enjoy a happy Lunar New Year holiday with your family, it is important to get vaccinated against influenza," and added, "We ask everyone to thoroughly observe basic personal hygiene practices, such as wearing masks and practicing proper cough etiquette, to prevent various respiratory infectious diseases."
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