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SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea recorded 32.3 suspected influenza cases per 1,000 patients during the week of Sept. 13-19, about four times the 8.0 reported during the same period last year, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said Sept. 24.
The rate has increased for eight consecutive weeks from a low of 6.4 in the 30th week of the year. It rose from 9.2 in week 34 to 13.3 in week 35, 25.3 in week 36 and 31.0 in week 37. Although the latest weekly increase was smaller, health officials said the outbreak was still spreading.
School-age children remain most affected
Children ages 7 to 12 had the highest rate, at 77.7 suspected cases per 1,000 patients. That was down slightly from 78.6 the previous week, making the group the only age category to record a decline.
The rate was 58.0 among children ages 1 to 6 and 41.1 among teenagers ages 13 to 18. Among infants younger than 1, it climbed more than 30% in a week, from 26.8 to 35.7.
The figures come from a surveillance network of about 800 outpatient clinics nationwide. It counts patients with a fever of at least 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, or 38 degrees Celsius, accompanied by a cough or sore throat. Because the tally is based on reported symptoms rather than laboratory-confirmed infections, it does not represent the country’s total number of flu cases.
Flu and COVID-19 hospitalizations increase
Hospitals reported 436 flu patients, up from 428 the previous week. Meanwhile, the share of respiratory specimens testing positive for influenza fell from 24.6% to 20.7%.
COVID-19 hospitalizations also increased during the same period, rising from 308 to 327.
Officials accelerate vaccinations
With flu spreading earlier than usual, the disease control agency issued an epidemic advisory at midnight Sept. 11 for the 2026-27 flu season and moved up the start of the national vaccination program for children, older adults and other eligible groups.
Officials urged the public to take precautions during Chuseok, a major Korean holiday when families traditionally gather, similar in scale and travel patterns to Thanksgiving in the United States. They recommended washing hands after returning home, covering coughs with a sleeve and wearing a mask when experiencing respiratory symptoms.
Older adults, people with weakened immune systems and others at higher risk were advised to avoid crowded indoor events. Anyone who develops a fever or respiratory symptoms should seek care at a clinic or hospital operating during the holiday, officials said.
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