Flu Emergency Among Elementary Students Before School Starts... "Strengthening School Quarantine Measures"

KDCA reports proportion of influenza-like illness among ages 7 to 12 nearing last season's peak
Possible "slight rebound" after schools reopen... "Better to get vaccinated even now"

With one week left until the start of the new school term, influenza (the flu) continues to spread, especially among school-age children and adolescents, putting the disease control authorities on high alert. The government has recommended that those who have not yet been vaccinated should receive a flu shot even now to prevent further spread after schools open.

On February 23, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) reviewed the current influenza trend and discussed response measures at the 8th Joint Task Force Meeting on Respiratory Infectious Diseases, held with relevant ministries.

According to the KDCA, this winter's influenza season peaked earlier than usual, in mid-November, then showed a downward trend, but has recently rebounded due to the spread of influenza type B.

The situation is particularly serious among children aged 7 to 12, the elementary school age group. In epidemiological week 7 of this year, the proportion of influenza-like illness (ILI) cases in this age group reached 150.8 per 1,000 outpatient visits, a level comparable to the peak of the previous season.

The KDCA stated that the currently circulating type B virus has been confirmed to be of the same lineage as the vaccine strain. This means that the vaccines supplied at present are sufficiently effective in preventing infection. However, vaccination coverage has fallen short of expectations. As of February 20, the influenza vaccination rate among children aged 6 months to 13 years was 67.2 percent, slightly lower than the previous year's 68.9 percent.

Lim Seungkwan, Commissioner of the KDCA, said, "Unlike in previous years, when the flu trend declined with the start of the winter vacation, this season it has remained at a high level," and urged, "School-age children and adolescents who have not yet been vaccinated must get their flu shots before school starts."

The disease control authorities expect the number of cases to decrease slightly over the next two weeks, but they are closely monitoring the possibility of another rebound in transmission immediately after the start of the term due to group activities in schools.

Accordingly, schools and daycare centers have been instructed to advise students with symptoms such as high fever to stay home and rest instead of attending, to strengthen education on handwashing and cough etiquette, and to ensure regular ventilation of classrooms. Adults as well should refrain from going to work if they develop influenza symptoms such as high fever, and high-risk groups, including the elderly, should promptly seek medical care to prevent progression to severe conditions such as pneumonia.

Commissioner Lim emphasized, "We will actively incorporate expert opinions to resolve difficulties in clinical settings and will make every effort to respond to respiratory infectious diseases in cooperation with relevant ministries."