The influenza (flu) outbreak has peaked, but it remains at the highest level since 2016. Health authorities urged people to hurry with vaccinations.
On the 16th, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency reported that in the second week of 2025 (Jan. 5-11), the number of suspected flu cases was 86.1 per 1,000 people. This reflects a decrease of 13.7% compared to the previous week.
Accordingly, while the peak of the flu outbreak has passed, it is still recording high levels compared to the typical peak since 2016.
By age group, there were the highest number of patients aged 7 to 12 at 149.5 per 1,000 people, followed by ▲ 13 to 18 years old at 141.5, ▲ 19 to 49 years old at 110.0, and ▲ 1 to 6 years old at 83.4.
According to the sample surveillance results for hospitalized patients at hospitals (220 locations), the number of flu hospitalizations in the second week of this year was 1,627, an increase of 10.8% from the previous week (1,468).
However, the agency explained that this trend is due to an increase in outpatient visits and is at a lower level compared to before the COVID-19 outbreak. The past peak hospitalization numbers for the hospital level medical institutions were ▲ 1,956 in 2020, ▲ 17 in 2021, ▲ 694 in 2022, ▲ 1,101 in 2023, and ▲ 841 in 2024.
The surveillance for respiratory virus pathogens indicated that the flu virus detection rate in the second week of this year was 55.0%, a decrease of 7.9 percentage points from the previous week (62.9%).
Both A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2) types of the virus are circulating simultaneously. The circulating flu viruses are very similar to this season's vaccine strains, allowing for sufficient preventative effects through vaccination. No mutations that would affect drug resistance have been identified.
On the 20th of last month, the agency issued a nationwide influenza outbreak advisory. During this period, high-risk groups such as children and pregnant women can receive health insurance benefits when antiviral drugs are prescribed for suspected flu symptoms.
This season's national flu vaccination is being implemented for children aged 6 months to 13 years who are at high risk of severe illness from flu infection, pregnant women, and seniors aged 65 and older.
Ji Young-mi, head of the agency, noted, "Although the number of flu patients has decreased since the peak in the first week of 2025, it is still at a higher level than in previous years, so it is important to quickly receive vaccinations." She added, "In particular, to safely spend the upcoming Seollal holiday in 10 days, please strictly adhere to preventive measures for respiratory infectious diseases, such as washing hands before and after going out."