SUWON — Gyeonggi Province on the 12th urged residents to follow preventive measures, saying influenza virus detection rates in the province remain high following the issuance of a nationwide flu alert.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency issued this year's influenza alert on Sept. 11, about a month earlier than last year's Oct. 17 announcement. Flu alerts are typically issued between fall and winter, but the virus has spread earlier than usual this year.
Tests on patients with respiratory symptoms who visited 18 sentinel surveillance medical institutions in the province showed influenza virus detection rates of 4.0% to 6.1% in August, according to the Gyeonggi Province Institute of Health and Environment. The rate then climbed sharply to 26.4% in September. It fell to 14.3% by the end of September but remains higher than before the alert was issued.
Influenza typically has an incubation period of one to four days after infection, followed by symptoms including fever, cough, headache, muscle pain, runny nose and sore throat. People aged 65 and over, children, pregnant women and those with chronic conditions face a higher risk of complications such as pneumonia and need to take particular care.
"Influenza virus detection in the province continues to remain at a high level," said Kim Myung-gil, head of the infectious disease research department at the Gyeonggi Province Institute of Health and Environment. "Please participate actively in vaccination and strictly observe personal hygiene rules such as handwashing and cough etiquette."
The national free influenza vaccination program began on the 21st of last month. Children, pregnant women and people aged 65 and over can receive free shots at designated partner medical institutions and public health centers. A list of participating providers is available on the KDCA's vaccination helper website.