Hanam City (Mayor Lee Hyeon-jae) has urged people to get vaccinated and follow respiratory disease prevention guidelines as influenza (flu) accompanied by high fever and cough has been rapidly spreading nationwide since last month.
According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on the 7th, the influenza-like illness (ILI) rate, which indicates the number of suspected patients with influenza symptoms among 1,000 outpatients who visited 300 influenza surveillance medical institutions nationwide in the last week of 2024 (week 52, December 22-28), was 73.9.
This is a 136% increase compared to 31.3 per 1,000 people in Week 51, one week ago. This is the highest number in eight years since 86.2 in 2016, the peak of the influenza epidemic.
The number of patients increased in all age groups, but it was especially high among adolescents aged 13 to 18. There were 151.3 patients per 1,000 people aged 13 to 18. This was followed by 137.3 patients aged 7 to 12, 93.6 patients aged 19 to 49, 58.4 patients aged 1 to 6, and 45.7 patients aged 50 to 64.
Hanam City strongly recommends flu vaccination to protect people with weakened immune systems and prevent serious complications.
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[Korean Today] Hanam City Health Center Vaccination © Reporter Baek Chang-hee |
Hanam City is providing free vaccinations until April 30 for seniors over 65 years old, infants and children aged 6 months to 13 years old, pregnant women, and medically vulnerable groups classified as high-risk groups for influenza prevention.
Those eligible can visit 147 designated medical institutions in the region or visit designated medical institutions nationwide to receive the vaccination by bringing their ID and pregnancy confirmation documents (for pregnant women). Designated medical institutions can be checked on the Hanam City Health Center website (https://www.hanam.go.kr/health) and the vaccination assistant website (https://nip.kdca.go.kr).
Park Kang-yong, the head of Hanam City Health Center, said, “Influenza has been spreading rapidly recently and is expected to continue until spring,” and urged, “Do not think it is too late and get vaccinated against the flu now.”
He continued, “Please thoroughly follow the basic respiratory infection prevention guidelines, such as washing your hands before and after going out, practicing cough etiquette, wearing a mask when experiencing respiratory symptoms, and regularly ventilating indoor spaces.”
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