Policy Recommendations Proposed from the Regional Situation of Seasonal Influenza and Various Outbreaks in Health Region 11

Abstract

This descriptive study examined the epidemiological characteristics, outbreak clusters, and limitations of influenza prevention and control measures to propose policy recommendations for Health Region 11. Data were obtained from the R506 and D506 systems, cluster outbreak investigation reports, and reports on monitoring of prevention and control from 2020 to 2024. Descriptive statistics were applied to analyze quantitative data over person, time, and place, and outbreak-related factors, while qualitative data was summarized by content summary on the limitations of current control strategies. There was a sharp increase in morbidity rate from 113.51 to 1,194.09 per 100,000 population, while the highest rate was among children aged 3–4 years. Most outbreak clusters occurred in prisons (71.43%), with 46.15% linked to transmission from infected correctional officers. Outbreak detection was delayed, with a median of 10 days after symptom onset in the primary case. Vaccine coverage was below 10.00% of the total population, and children aged 3–4 years were not included in the target group. Major limitations included insufficient screening tests, difficulties in implementing isolation within prisons, and staff shortages. This study recommends that vaccination should be expanded to include children aged 6 months to 4 years, and achieve herd immunity. Prisons should also be equipped with sufficient screening tests to ensure timely outbreak detection, especially in staff-introduced clusters.