By Jung Min-ho
The government will send health inspectors to elementary and middle schools in response to an increasing number of suspected flu cases.
According to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) Monday, officials will visit three schools ― in Sejong, and Gangwon and North Chungcheong provinces ― Thursday to investigate the origins of the flu and the pattern of its spread.
The infection rates in the schools are thought to be 200 times higher than the average of others across the country, which is 8.7 cases per 100,000 people.
The flu season is off to an early start this year. The KCDC issued a flu warning Nov. 1, one week earlier than last year. It is the earliest since 2010, when the KCDC issued the warning on Oct. 10.
The centers’ sample study conducted in the fourth week of last month showed that the number of suspected flu cases was 7.7 per 1,000 people who visited hospitals during that period. Children are especially vulnerable. Among those aged from seven to 12, the rate is 15.1, compared with only 7.6 among people aged 19 to 49.
Based on the investigation results, the KCDC said it will come up with measures to minimize flu damage, which is otherwise expected to be more serious than the past few years.
The KCDC said a flu vaccine is the best form of defense against the virus, urging everyone to be vaccinated at nearby hospitals or health centers.
It also advises people to wash their hands more frequently with soap, especially after touching shared objects.
Flu viruses circulate in low numbers all year round, but they usually mount a major attack in the winter, triggering a spike in infections that generally lasts a few weeks or months. Often, activity peaks in January or February.