**Fever, Cough, and Cold-like Symptoms**
Greater Influenza (Flu) Outbreak in Korea, Exercise Caution
“Adhere to Preventive Measures Such as Hand Washing, Cough Etiquette, and Wearing Masks”
Recently, a respiratory infection called ‘Human Metapneumovirus Infection (HMPV)’ is spreading in China, showing symptoms like fever and cough. However, in Korea, the occurrence of such cases is at an average level.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) stated on the 8th, “HMPV, which is reported to be increasing abroad, is a common virus worldwide,” adding, “In Korea, there has not been a significant outbreak compared to average years, and no notable trends related to HMPV have been observed.”
HMPV, a common virus globally, spreads through droplets, contact with secretions from an infected person, or contact with contaminated objects. Upon infection, it presents with cold-like symptoms such as fever, cough, sputum, runny nose, and nasal congestion.
According to the KDCA, except for the COVID-19 pandemic period, HMPV has consistently spread each year, particularly among children and the elderly. In children under five, 2-3% of respiratory infections are due to HMPV.
However, in Korea, the number of hospitalizations due to HMPV infections has increased in the past four weeks. According to the acute respiratory infection patient surveillance operated by KDCA, the number of hospitalizations in week 49 was 83, week 50 was 82, week 51 was 144, and week 52 increased to 180. Among the 489 patients hospitalized over the past four weeks, nearly half (48.5%, 237 patients) were aged 0-6. This was followed by 20.4% (100 patients) aged 65 and older, 18.2% (89 patients) aged 7-12, and 5.7% (28 patients) aged 50-64.
HMPV can lead to severe lower respiratory tract infections, such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia, in severe cases, and is treated with symptomatic measures like antipyretics and fluids. Experts explain that it is not a novel respiratory infection like COVID-19, so there is no need for excessive fear.
In Korea, the influenza virus, known as type A flu, is more prevalent than HMPV. The KDCA’s national pathogen sample surveillance shows that in the past four weeks, the detection rate of influenza virus skyrocketed from 9.3% in week 49 to 50.9% in week 52, while the detection rate of HMPV increased from 3.2% in week 49 to 5.3% in week 52.
KDCA Commissioner Ji Young-mi urged, “With the recent surge in influenza and the increase in RSV and HMPV infections, continuous caution is required,” advising adherence to basic respiratory infection prevention measures such as washing hands before and after going out, practicing cough etiquette, wearing masks when respiratory symptoms occur, and ventilating indoor spaces for at least 10 minutes every two hours.
The KDCA particularly emphasized that daycare centers and similar facilities should limit the attendance of staff and children with respiratory symptoms, ensure regular ventilation, require mask-wearing, and prohibit the sharing of personal belongings to prevent group outbreaks of respiratory infections during winter.