Flu Suspected Cases Rise for 8 Weeks: What to Check Before Chuseok Family Gatherings
An earlier-than-usual flu wave is continuing ahead of the Chuseok holiday. Reports citing disease-control surveillance said the influenza-like illness rate for week 38, from September 13 to 19, stood at 32.3 per 1,000 outpatients. That is higher than the same period last year, and the rise among infants and young children is especially notable, making it worth rechecking basic prevention rules before family gatherings.
Key summary
- The flu-like illness rate was reported at 32.3 per 1,000 outpatients.
- The figure has risen for eight consecutive weeks since week 30.
- Ages 7–12 remain the highest group, but increases among infants and ages 1–6 also stand out.
- With travel and family gatherings increasing during Chuseok, protecting high-risk people is more important.
Confirmed facts
- Disease-surveillance data put the week-38 influenza-like illness rate at 32.3.
- That is roughly four times the 8.0 level from the same period last year.
- The 7–12 age group had the highest rate at 77.7, while infants under one rose by more than 30% from the previous week, according to reports.
- Flu inpatients at hospital-level medical institutions stood at 436, a slight increase from the previous week.
Why the holiday matters
Flu is a recurring seasonal infection, but a holiday becomes a variable when the wave starts early and younger age groups rise quickly. Long-distance travel, meals with multiple generations and longer indoor stays can turn even mild symptoms into a burden for older adults, infants and pregnant people. The point is not fear, but setting small rules for before and after gatherings.
| Situation | How to read it | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Homes with infants | Symptoms can change quickly | If fever or cough appears, reduce gatherings and seek medical guidance |
| Elementary-school children | Highest flu-like illness rate | Check symptoms before school or academies and reinforce hand hygiene |
| High-risk relatives | Higher risk of severe illness | Consider masks, ventilation and separate seating |
| Holiday travel | Contact range expands | Symptomatic people should consider postponing long-distance travel |
What to watch next
- Watch whether the illness rate rises further one to two weeks after the holiday.
- Vaccination schedules and actual uptake among children, pregnant people and older adults need to be checked together.
- Whether flu and COVID-19 or other respiratory infections rise at the same time is another key variable.
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