[News Today] Signs of flu epidemic among children

[LEAD]
A major flu outbreak may be looming this winter. Suspected flu cases have surged, up more than 12 times compared to last year. The virus is spreading fast, especially among elementary students and toddlers. But health experts warn, older adults are not safe either.

[REPORT]
This elementary school student is in hospital for influenza. She still has a fever, so she can't go to school.

Kim Sang-eon / Patient's father
She left school early with a high fever and went to the hospital. She was diagnosed with the flu.

Since students stay inside a confined classroom, many of her classmates have caught the flu as well.

Kim Su-ah / Flu patient
My classmate was absent for a day because of the flu.

Among outpatients in the first week of November, there were 50.7 suspected flu cases per 1,000 people, more than double from the previous week.

Compared to the same period last year, cases have jumped more than 12 times, raising concerns of a major flu surge this winter.

Elementary school students were the most affected, with 138.1 cases per 1,000 patients, followed by infants and toddlers and then teenagers.

Kim Ju-hee / Kyung Hee Univ. Medical Center
In a closed space, children cough and since flu spreads through droplets, infection occurs when many children gather within 1-2 meters.

The flu outbreak that began among children and teenagers is likely to spread to older adults who care for their grandchildren.

When elderly people get the flu, the fatality rate spikes because they are at higher risk of suffering pneumonia and other complications.

Despite being free, the flu vaccination rate for seniors aged 65 and older is still below 70 percent.

Experts advise that getting vaccinated and following basic precautions like hand washing and wearing a mask are essential to prevent the flu.

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