The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency announced that it will lift the influenza (flu) outbreak advisory issued on Dec. 20 last year for the 2024-2025 season, effective as of the 13th.
The decision to lift the outbreak advisory will be determined through a consultation meeting if the number of influenza patients per designated physician falls below the outbreak standard (8.6 patients during the 2024-2025 season) for three consecutive weeks. An influenza patient is defined as one experiencing a fever above 38 degrees Celsius along with cough and sore throat.
The number of influenza patients per 1,000 outpatients at sample surveillance medical institutions peaked at 99.8 during the first week of this year (Dec. 29, 2024, to Jan. 4, 2025) and then decreased. In the 23rd week of this year (June 1 to 7), the figure fell to 6.7 per 1,000, below the outbreak standard for three consecutive weeks.
The detection rate of the influenza virus also peaked at 62.9% during the first week of this year but then declined. It rose again from March, reaching 28.8% during the 17th week (April 20 to 26), but subsequently reversed direction, remaining around 5% starting from the 21st week.
With the lifting of the influenza outbreak advisory, antiviral medications will only be covered by health insurance when a positive result is confirmed in influenza tests (rapid antigen tests or polymerase chain reaction). During the advisory period, high-risk groups such as children, pregnant women, and seniors over the age of 65 were eligible for coverage for antiviral prescriptions based solely on clinical symptoms.
Although the influenza outbreak advisory has been lifted, attention is needed as the spread of COVID-19 is increasing overseas. Ji Young-mi, the head of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, noted, "Given the recent increase in COVID-19 cases abroad and usual outbreak patterns, concerns are growing regarding a summer COVID-19 outbreak," urging that to prevent respiratory infections like COVID-19, individuals should maintain hand hygiene, practice cough etiquette, wear masks, and seek appropriate medical treatment upon showing symptoms.