How Did the Flu Impact the Winter Olympics?

According to the CDC, the flu is now an epidemic. This season’s flu was just as bad as the swine flu epidemic nine years ago. But how far is the flu spreading? There are reports of the flu in North Korea and South Korea to be just as bad as the United States. Of those people visiting their health care providers in South Korea, 60%- 70% have reported influenza-like illness. In North Korea, 126,574 people had flu-like symptoms, while 81,640 were confirmed. With North Korea carrying a deadly strain of the seasonal flu, there have been four reported deaths caused by influenza. One death was an adult, while three were children under the age of five.

Although there is little travel between the North Korean and South Korean borders, there is the possibility that those from North Korea could bring their strain of the virus with them to the Winter Olympics in South Korea. Just like any flu virus, a person can carry the flu for several days before showing any symptoms. This may cause issues for many of the other competing athletes.

There is a place referred to as the Olympic Village where athletes, sporting officials, and trainers stay during the couple weeks while they are competing. Of the 90 National Olympic Committees, nearly 3,000 athletes will be staying within this village sharing many spaces for eating, sleeping, and socializing. With such proximity much of the time, the influenza virus spreads very quickly, putting many athletes at risk.

The seasonal flu is not the only strain visitors to South Korea need to be aware of. The Bird Flu (H5N6), which is highly contagious, has been reported on a chicken farm in South Korea. Although it has not spread to humans, there have been 16 reported cases of avian influenza on poultry farms and 10 in wild birds.

Many precautionary steps should be taken to avoid the influenza virus.  Washing your hands frequently with warm water and soap in combination with using hand sanitizer and cleaning surfaces that are commonly touched.

How can we help you? Safetec manufactures surface sprays and wipes to disinfect those objects and surfaces that many people touch throughout the day. SaniWash hand soap, which is highly recommended to fight those terrible germs, and hand sanitizers that come in fresh and citrus scent are also products that are good to have with at all times. Safetec’s products kill widespread bacteria and can help protect you against the flu.

References:
https://time.com/5143232/cdc-flu-epidemic/
https://www.cnn.com/2018/01/31/health/influenza-outbreaks-korea-winter-olympics/index.html
https://www.bustle.com/p/north-korea-south-korea-report-flu-outbreaks-prior-to-the-2018-winter-olympics-in-pyeongchang-8091546
https://www.healthline.com/health-news/winter-olympic-athletes-want-gold-not-the-flu#6