Flu cases surged 13.7 times in four weeks... "Best after establishing a surveillance system."

Last week, the number of suspected flu patients stood at 99.8 per 1,000 outpatients, a 13.7-fold jump in four weeks.

This is the ninth consecutive week of increase and the highest since the sample monitoring system was established.

Suspected flu cases have increased in all age groups, with 177 cases per 1,000 people aged 13 to 18, leading the epidemic among school-age children and adolescents.

The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that two types of viruses are prevalent at the same time, and predicted that the next 1-2 weeks along with winter vacation will be the peak of flu cases.

In addition, other respiratory infections such as COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are on the rise and the Lunar New Year holiday is just around the corner, so high-risk groups subject to national vaccination should be vaccinated now.