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Mayor Park Heong-joon Pledges Strong Infectious Disease Response During Lunar New Year Holiday

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□ Busan Metropolitan City announced that, as overseas travel is expected to increase during the Lunar New Year holiday and the start of the new school term approaches, Mayor Park Heong-joon is urging residents to receive recommended vaccinations and follow preventive measures to prevent imported infectious diseases and respiratory infections.

□ Recently, respiratory infectious diseases such as measles, influenza, and COVID-19, as well as norovirus infection, have continued to occur worldwide.
○ In India, Nipah virus infection, which requires strict management due to its high fatality rate, is currently spreading. In some Southeast Asian countries, cases of avian influenza A (AI) infection in humans have been reported, and in the same region, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) continues to occur.

□ In addition, among children and adolescents, the weekly influenza-like illness (ILI) rate reported by primary-care medical institutions nationwide has increased over the past four weeks, and the detection rate of type B influenza virus has risen, making it necessary to practice respiratory infection prevention measures in daily life.

• ●Weekly nationwide ILI rate over the past four weeks:
  (Week 1 of Jan. 2026) 36.6 per 1,000 patients → (Week 2) 40.9 → (Week 3) 44.9 → (Week 4) 47.7

• ●ILI (influenza-like illness) rate: the proportion of people who, among outpatients, have a fever of 38°C or higher along with cough or sore throat, per 1,000 patients.

• ●2025–2026 seasonal influenza epidemic threshold: 9.1

□ The five key prevention measures for respiratory infections are: practicing cough etiquette, making proper handwashing a daily habit, avoiding touching the eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands, ventilating indoor spaces frequently, and visiting a medical institution when fever or respiratory symptoms occur to receive appropriate care.

□ In addition, for high-risk groups such as seniors aged 65 and older, children aged 13 and younger, and pregnant women, influenza vaccination is especially important during the Lunar New Year holiday period and before overseas travel. Vaccination is available free of charge at nearby designated medical institutions regardless of place of residence.
○ Designated vaccination medical institutions can be checked on the Immunization Helper website at nip.kdca.go.kr.

□ Meanwhile, to prevent imported infectious diseases and block their spread, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) has designated and announced 24 priority quarantine management countries/regions for the first quarter of 2026. Those who stay in or transit through the relevant countries/regions must submit a Q-CODE or a health questionnaire.
○ From February 10, free testing is being provided at airports and seaports nationwide for those arriving in Korea who request it, covering three respiratory infections: avian influenza A (AI) infection in humans, COVID-19, and influenza. Overseas travelers with suspected respiratory infection symptoms are encouraged to actively use this service.

□ Even during the Lunar New Year holiday, infectious disease reporting and consultation are available through the KDCA call center (1339) and district/county public health centers, and a 24-hour infectious disease surveillance system is in operation.
○ Information on various overseas infectious diseases can be found on the Overseas Infectious Disease NOW website at NOW.kr and on Travel Health Official at travelhealth.kr.

□ Mayor Park Heong-joon stated, “As overseas travel and the start of the new school term may increase the risk of infectious disease outbreaks, it is most important for high-risk groups to complete vaccinations before the Lunar New Year holiday and to follow personal preventive measures. If you have suspected symptoms, please visit a medical institution and receive appropriate care.” He added, “Busan Metropolitan City will further strengthen the emergency infectious disease response system in preparation for the Lunar New Year season and will do our utmost so that citizens can enjoy a healthy and safe holiday with their families.”