This year's flu season has begun earlier than last year, according to reports.
On October 4, Yonhap News and the Seoul Institute of Health and Environment reported that an analysis of patient samples and sewage revealed that flu cases started to rise in the 35th week of the year, around the end of August, which is approximately three weeks earlier than last year.
This marks an 11-week advance compared to 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Flu viruses were detected in sewage as early as the end of July (31st week), which is six weeks earlier than last year.
The currently circulating virus is Type A (H1N1), with increasing detection rates in both patients and sewage samples.
The duration of the flu season is also trending longer. Over the past year, the flu season lasted 16 weeks, three times longer than the previous year's five weeks.
In response, the Korea Disease Control Agency issued a flu outbreak advisory on September 11.
The national free vaccination program is being rolled out in phases for children aged 6 months to 14 years, pregnant women, and seniors aged 65 and older.
Vaccinations for children requiring two doses and pregnant women began on September 21, while those for children needing one dose started on September 28.
Seniors will be able to receive vaccinations at designated medical institutions and health centers starting on the following dates: October 12 for those aged 75 and older, October 15 for those aged 70 to 74, and October 19 for those aged 65 to 69.
The institute advised, "To prevent the flu, maintain hand hygiene and practice cough etiquette, and seek medical attention if respiratory symptoms develop alongside fever."
Park Joo-sung, director of the Seoul Institute of Health and Environment, stated, "We will closely monitor trends in respiratory infections, including influenza, in collaboration with the Korea Disease Control Agency, and do our utmost for proactive disease prevention. We urge citizens to actively practice personal health measures such as vaccination, handwashing, and wearing masks."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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