Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jan 04, 2025 2 days, 1 hour, 1 minute ago
Medical News: Alarming Surge in Flu Cases
South Korea is grappling with its most severe influenza outbreak since 2016, as the number of cases continues to climb at an unprecedented pace. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) has reported a sharp rise in influenza-like illness (ILI) cases, particularly among teenagers. This alarming trend is causing concern among health officials and the public.
South Korea Battles Severe Flu Outbreak Amid Rising Cases
According to data from the KDCA, the ILI rate - a key metric representing the number of suspected flu cases per 1,000 outpatient visits at 300 monitored clinics nationwide - reached a staggering 73.9 in the week of December 22 to 28. This figure marks a 136 percent increase from the previous week’s rate of 31.3, highlighting the rapid escalation of the outbreak. Notably, this rate is nearing the 2016 peak of 86.2 and far exceeds the peaks observed in recent years, including 61.3 in 2023 and 60.7 in 2022. In stark contrast, during the COVID-19 pandemic years of 2020 and 2021, the ILI rates were as low as 3.3 and 4.8, respectively.
https://eng.phwr.org/journal/archives_Supple_View.html?eid=U3VwcGxlX251bT0xMDk=
https://www.kdca.go.kr/board/board.es?mid=a30502000000&bid=0032
Teenagers Hit Hardest
While flu cases are surging across all age groups, adolescents aged 13 to 18 have been disproportionately affected. Their ILI rate has soared to 151.3 per 1,000 outpatient visits, a figure 17.6 times higher than the seasonal flu epidemic threshold of 8.6 per 1,000. Other age groups have also experienced significant increases, with rates of 137.3 for children aged 7 to 12, 93.6 for adults aged 19 to 49, and 58.4 for children aged 1 to 6.
This
Medical News report highlights that among the identified strains of the flu virus, A(H1N1)pdm09 has emerged as the most prevalent, accounting for 34.6 percent of cases. This is followed by A(H3N2) at 14.9 percent and type B at 1.4 percent. Despite the surge in cases, the KDCA has reassured the public that the current flu vaccine remains highly effective, as the circulating virus strains closely match those used in vaccine production. Additionally, no mutations affecting antiviral resistance have been detected so far.
Urgent Vaccination Call
In response to the outbreak, the KDCA has issued a strong advisory urging high-risk groups to receive flu vaccinations immediately. Eligible individuals, including children aged 6 months to 13 years, pregnant women, and adults aged 65 and older, can access free vaccinations until April 30. The agency’s proactive approach aims to mitigate the impact of the outbreak and protect vulnerable populations from severe complications.
The KDCA initially issued a flu outbreak advisory on December 20, signaling the growing severity of the situ
ation. Health officials continue to monitor the outbreak closely and emphasize the importance of preventive measures, including vaccination and proper hygiene practices.
Conclusion
South Korea’s current flu outbreak is a stark reminder of the importance of preparedness and timely action in managing infectious diseases. The nation’s health authorities are working diligently to control the situation, but the public’s cooperation is crucial in reducing transmission rates. With vaccination campaigns in full swing and preventive measures being reinforced, there is hope that the outbreak can be curbed.
For the latest on the Flu Outbreak in South Korea, keep on logging to Thailand
Medical News.
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/human-metapneumovirus-infections-on-the-rise-in-china
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/emerging-novel-lineages-of-human-metapneumovirus-in-china-mark-the-start-of-2025
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/hmpv-human-metapneumovirus
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/influenza-or-flu
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/h5n1-avian-flu
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