Jeonnam Province Issues Respiratory Infection Alert for Schools and Daycares as New Semester Begins

Concerns Over Influenza, Chickenpox, and Pertussis Outbreaks
Strengthening Hygiene Through Vaccination and Handwashing

Jeonnam Province is mobilizing administrative efforts to prevent the spread of respiratory infectious diseases such as influenza with the start of the new school semester. Provided by Jeonnam Province

Jeollanam-do has urged compliance with national vaccination programs for respiratory infectious diseases and adherence to infection prevention guidelines as concerns rise over a potential resurgence of respiratory illnesses such as influenza with the start of the new school semester.

For school-aged children and adolescents, special caution is needed to prevent respiratory infections since they participate in group indoor activities after the semester begins. Influenza, which saw a significant outbreak this winter, has recently shown a decline to 19.3 cases per 1,000 outpatients in the third week of February. However, the incidence remains high among school-aged children and adolescents (ages 7 to 18), with 35.8 cases per 1,000.

Chickenpox, which causes blisters on the skin, and pertussis, which is marked by severe coughing, are also respiratory infections that predominantly affect school-aged children and adolescents. As of last year, 82.4% of all chickenpox cases and 87.7% of all pertussis cases occurred in this age group. Seasonal influenza tends to increase in winter and after the start of the school semester in March, making vaccination important. The influenza vaccine is provided free of charge until April 30 this year for children aged six months to 13 years.

Starting this month, a vaccination record check is being conducted for new elementary and middle school students to verify completion of required immunizations, and those who have not completed their vaccinations are being encouraged to do so.

Jeollanam-do is urging adherence to prevention guidelines for respiratory infectious diseases, including washing hands for at least 30 seconds, covering the mouth and nose when coughing, ventilating classrooms at least three times a day, and refraining from attending school and getting sufficient rest if symptoms appear.

Namseok Na, head of the Infectious Disease Control Division of Jeollanam-do, said, "With the start of the new semester, we ask all those eligible for national vaccinations to visit a nearby medical institution and receive their vaccines for a healthy school life."