Recently, regarding the human metapneumovirus (HMPV) spreading in China and India, the government noted, “The detection rate has somewhat increased over the past four weeks, but there is no need for excessive anxiety.”
Administrator Ji Young-mi said at the opening remarks of the ‘Joint Task Force Meeting on Respiratory Infectious Diseases’ held on the afternoon of the 9th, “The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency has been continuously monitoring HMPV as a target for acute respiratory infection sample surveillance since 2014, and there have been no significant outbreaks or unusual trends observed domestically or internationally, so there is no need for excessive anxiety.”
However, the detection rate of HMPV over the past four weeks increased from 3.2% in the 49th week of last year (December 1-7) to 5.3% in the 52nd week (December 22-28). Administrator Ji said, “We will share the occurrence trends of acute respiratory infections, including HMPV, with the public and medical community every week.”
As the winter cold wave intensifies, the number of influenza patients is surging. In the first week of this year, the number of influenza cases reached 99.8 per 1,000 people, marking the highest level since the respiratory sample surveillance system was established in 2016. Notably, among the 13- to 18-year-old age group, there were 177.4 per 1,000, and among the 7- to 12-year-olds, there were 161.6, indicating that school-aged children and adolescents are leading the trend.
In response, Administrator Ji explained, “The number of influenza infections has been nearly nonexistent, combined with the recent sudden drop in temperatures, and the dual circulation of two types of influenza, A(H1N1) and A(H3N2), has significantly increased the patient numbers lately,” adding, “The trend is expected to peak in the next 1 to 2 weeks.”
The number of patients with COVID-19 has shown an increase over the past four weeks following a peak in August of last year. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency projected that the number of COVID-19 patients will continue to rise this month, leading to a winter outbreak.
Infections from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) also remained at a high level. In the first week of this year, the number of patients reached 578, about 34.1% higher than the same period last year (413). Notably, among RSV hospitalized patients over the past four weeks, 77.4% were aged 0 to 6.
The incidence of whooping cough and mycoplasma pneumonia has shown a significant decline.
Administrator Ji said, “We are actively encouraging influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations,” and noted, “Since December of last year, we have activated a joint task force on respiratory infectious diseases to continuously monitor the situation regarding respiratory infections and patient care measures with the Ministry of Health and local governments.”
He further emphasized, “When looking at the number of influenza patients by age group, the elderly over 65 years old, with a high vaccination rate, have 35.1 patients per 1,000, while those under 12, with a low vaccination rate, have 112.5, showing a significant difference,” adding, “This clearly demonstrates that vaccination is effective in preventing influenza infections.”
He also added, “For the elderly, pregnant women, and children under 12, please do not think it is too late, and I strongly urge you to participate in influenza vaccination now.”
Administrator Ji stated, “We are stockpiling sufficient amounts of antiviral medications used for respiratory infections in preparation for a pandemic,” and added, “We will closely monitor the supply situation of pharmaceuticals and supply some of the government stockpiles to the market if necessary.”