25.11.21.Today News : Flu Cases Surge 14-Fold, Spread Rapid Among Youth

Flu Cases Surge 14-Fold, Spread Rapid Among Youth

📍Cases Increase 31% in One Week… Experts Urge Immediate Vaccination

Flu cases are rapidly increasing this winter, reaching up to 14 times higher compared to the same period last year. The surge is particularly significant among children and teenagers, prompting health authorities to recommend urgent vaccination.

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🔹 Flu cases increase over 30% in one week
According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), suspected influenza patients per 1,000 outpatient visits recorded 66.3 cases during Week 46, marking a 30.8% rise compared to the previous week (50.7 cases).
This represents a 14.4-fold increase from the same period last year (4.6 cases).

Flu cases have been rising for four consecutive weeks since mid-October.

🔹 Spread concentrated among school-age population
Surveillance data show the highest infection rates among school-aged children:

■ Ages 7–12: 170.4 cases

■ Ages 13–18: 112.6 cases

This far surpasses the national average, indicating that schools and private academies are key transmission environments.

🔹 Flu hospitalizations up, COVID-19 cases down
Hospital-level influenza admissions increased to 490 patients, marking the fourth consecutive weekly rise.
Meanwhile, COVID-19 hospitalizations continue to decline:

■ Week 44: 201
■ Week 45: 153
■ Week 46: 145

🔹 Vaccination strongly recommended – Current vaccine still effective
The KDCA recommends flu and COVID-19 vaccination heading into peak winter season.

Eligible groups for free flu vaccination include:

■ Adults aged 65 and older
■ Pregnant women
■ Children aged 6 months to 13 years

Despite mutations detected in the currently circulating A(H3N2) subtype, authorities confirmed that the ongoing vaccine remains effective.

🔹 Expert: “Vaccination protects individuals and the community”
Professor Yoon Jin-gu of Korea University Guro Hospital stated:

“With faster and stronger spread than usual, the risk to high-risk groups increases.” “Vaccination is not only personal protection—it also acts as a community shield.”

He stressed the importance of completing vaccination before the season peaks.

One-line summary : Flu cases have surged up to 14 times compared to last year, especially among children and teenagers, prompting experts to urge fast vaccination.