Coughing all over the place...Due to the influenza epidemic earlier than last year, the number of patients has more than tripled from last year
Nov 03, 2025
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As a result of monitoring the influenza doctor's patient (ILI) sample at a clinic-level medical institution operated by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the proportion of influenza doctors in the 43rd week of 2025 (10.19.~10.25) was 13.6 (per 1,000 outpatients), an increase from the previous week (7.9). This is more than three times higher than the same period last year (3.9).
The proportion of influenza doctors by age (/per 1,000 outpatients) was 31.6 patients aged 7-12 and 25.8 patients aged 1-6, which was relatively higher in children and adolescents. The figure far exceeds 6.9 people aged 65 or older and 6.4 people aged 50 to 64.
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The incidence of influenza in Korea is higher than that of last year (October), and considering the early prevalence of influenza and the outbreak in the southern hemisphere such as Australia, the influenza epidemic in winter is expected to be similar to the 2024-2025 season, which had the highest peak in the past decade.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), influenza activities have remained low worldwide as of the 42nd week of 2025 (10.13.19), but influenza activities have begun earlier than 2024 or the number of cases has increased significantly in neighboring countries (Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand, and China).
In the case of last year, global influenza activity increased from about 45 weeks (11.4.~10.) and then increased rapidly after 49 weeks (12.2.~8.) and peaked in the 6th week (2.3~9.) of 2025.
In the case of Japan, the influenza season began in the 39th week (9.22.~28.), and the epidemic began about a month earlier than last year. Since the end of August, the influenza virus detection rate has exceeded the epidemic standard (4.94%) in Hong Kong, and as of the 42nd week (11.84%) is under way.
Thailand had the highest number of weekly influenza cases in the 40th week (9.28. ~ 10.4) after a sharp increase in the number of weekly influenza cases from early September, and although it turned to a decline (about 56,000) from the 41st week (10.5. ~ 11.), it has increased significantly compared to the previous year. As of the 42nd week (10.13.19), China's influenza activity in the north remains low (2.7%), but it is gradually increasing (3.8%) in the south.
Lim Seung-kwan, head of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said "Considering the recent trends in influenza outbreaks at home and abroad, there is a possibility that influenza will be highly prevalent this winter, so thorough preparations are needed."He emphasized that "high-risk influenza groups such as senior citizens and children aged 65 or older should actively participate in vaccination prior to the full-fledged influenza epidemic.' During the influenza epidemic, daycare centers and schools should strengthen education and publicity on vaccination recommendations and respiratory infection prevention rules, and companies should create a culture of consideration to rest when sick.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
