The epidemic of respiratory infectious diseases such as influenza (flu) is unusually unabated even in midsummer. The number of patients who visited the hospital with flu-like symptoms such as high fever recorded the highest since the statistics were compiled.
According to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s weekly newsletter on surveillance of infectious diseases on the 14th, the 31st week (July 30 -August 5) of this year, the influenza suspected patient fraction was 14.1. This means that for every 1,000 outpatients, the number of suspected patients (those with sudden fever of 38 degrees or higher and cough or sore throat) reaches 14.1. Compared to the record of 17.3 two weeks ago in the 29th week (July 16-22 ), it is showing a gentle decline, but it is still a figure that far exceeds the prevalence standard.
This is the highest in the same period since 2000, when the Agency for Disease Control and Prevention began counting the percentage of suspected influenza patients. Previously, the year with the highest number of suspected patients in the 31st week was 2016, and the proportion of suspected patients was 4.7. During the same period this year, the proportion of suspected patients is three times higher than the previous peak.
Influenza is prevalent until late spring, in May, and the number of patients decreases as summer approaches. However, this year, the number of patients does not decrease significantly even after late spring and midsummer, showing an unusual trend. Even last July, the number of suspected influenza cases increased from June to 17.
The epidemic standard for the 2022-2023 season is 4.9, but this year, the proportion of suspected patients has never fallen below the epidemic standard. The trend will continue메이저놀이터.
By age group, children and adolescents are the most common. Looking at the percentage of suspected patients at 31 weeks by age group, 7 to 12 years old had the highest number of 26.7 patients. It was followed by those aged 13 to 18 with 26.0.
In addition to influenza, the number of hospitalized patients with acute respiratory infections caused by adenovirus is also on the rise. The number of adenovirus-infected patients admitted to institutions participating in the sample surveillance of the Agency for Disease Control and Prevention increased rapidly from 216 in the 26th week (June 25-July 1), recording 515 in the 30th week and 611 in the 31st week.
It is analyzed that the unusual summer flu is related to the lifting of the mandatory wearing of masks indoors. Influenza is usually prevalent in winter to form collective immunity, but last winter, the obligation to wear masks indoors was maintained, and it was not as prevalent as in the past. As a result, herd immunity to influenza was not formed, but from this spring, the obligation to wear a mask was lifted in most places, and the epidemic continued until late spring and summer. Professor Han Seong-ho of the Department of Family Medicine at Dong-A University Hospital said, “As not wearing a mask has become a daily routine, the epidemic of influenza and respiratory infectious diseases for which herd immunity has not been formed continues, and it seems that a resurgence of Corona 19 occurs.” Although it has been significantly lowered, both flu and Corona 19 can be dangerous for high-risk groups such as immunocompromised or elderly people. In places where many people gather, it is necessary to strictly observe personal quarantine.”
Meanwhile, the Agency for Disease Control and Prevention had previously planned to announce the transition of the Corona 19 infectious disease grade from Grade 2 to Grade 4 during this month, but it was temporarily postponed as the number of new corona 19 confirmed cases showed an increase for 6 consecutive weeks. However, as the rate of increase in the recurrence appears to have gradually slowed, it was announced that day that it plans to review it for one more week. An official from the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said, “We plan to closely review the epidemic situation for another week and then announce the transition to quarantine measures through an expert advisory meeting.” in the middle,” he said.