Influenza Spreading Earlier Than Usual... Gyeonggi Province Urges Vaccination and Hygiene Practices
Gyeonggi Province has urged residents to comply with respiratory infection prevention guidelines and participate in vaccination measures following an earlier-than-usual influenza outbreak this season.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency issued an ‘Influenza Alert for the 2026-2027 Season’ on the 11th. In week 36 of 2026 (August 30 - September 5), the rate of suspected influenza cases (not yet confirmed) at primary care medical institutions across the country was 25.3 per 1,000 outpatients, exceeding this season's alert threshold of 12.9 per 1,000. This represents approximately 1.9 times higher than the previous week's 13.3 per 1,000 and approximately 3.8 times higher than the 6.6 per 1,000 recorded during the same period last year.
The suspected influenza case rate in Gyeonggi Province has been steadily increasing, from 6.4 per 1,000 in week 33 to 8.4 in week 34, 12.4 in week 35, and 21.2 in week 36. Among all age groups in the province, the suspected case rate is rising, with children aged 7-12 showing the highest rate at 46.4 per 1,000 outpatients, followed by ages 1-6 at 39.0 and ages 13-18 at 24.2, indicating rapid increases centered on school-age children and infants and toddlers.
To prevent influenza, Gyeonggi Province has urged residents to follow respiratory infection prevention guidelines including: △receiving vaccination according to the schedule for your age group △washing hands for at least 30 seconds with soap under running water △covering mouth and nose with tissues or sleeves when coughing or sneezing △wearing a mask when experiencing respiratory symptoms △avoiding touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands △frequently ventilating indoor spaces.
Given that influenza cases are rapidly increasing, particularly among infants, toddlers, and school-age children, collective care facilities such as daycare centers and schools should actively promote vaccination and strengthen education on respiratory infection prevention practices including hand hygiene and proper coughing etiquette.
Additionally, it is important for high-risk groups including seniors aged 65 and older and immunocompromised individuals to seek timely medical care at healthcare facilities when experiencing respiratory symptoms such as fever, cough, and sore throat.
The 2026-2027 seasonal national influenza vaccination program will begin on September 21 and will be administered sequentially according to each group's schedule. In particular, beginning this season, adolescents aged 14 will be included in the national vaccination support program, making it crucial for eligible individuals to actively participate in vaccination according to their scheduled dates. Gyeonggi Province plans to continuously monitor suspected influenza cases, hospitalized patients, and influenza virus detection trends within the province and share related information through weekly infectious disease occurrence review meetings to actively respond to outbreak situations.
During the influenza alert period, high-risk groups including children, pregnant women, seniors aged 65 and older, immunocompromised individuals, and those with underlying conditions may receive antiviral prescriptions based on a doctor's judgment even with suspected influenza symptoms alone, with health insurance coverage applied.
Yu Young-cheol, Director of the Gyeonggi Province Health and Welfare Bureau, stated, "The influenza outbreak has started earlier than in previous years, and suspected cases are rapidly increasing particularly among infants, toddlers, and children, requiring special caution. Those eligible for vaccination should be vaccinated according to their scheduled dates, and in daily life, please actively practice basic prevention measures such as hand washing, proper coughing etiquette, and wearing masks when experiencing respiratory symptoms."