Number of “Apollo Disease” Patients Rises to 160.000 in a Day

The outbreaks of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis called “Apollo disease” among students tripled to some 160,000 in a day as the disease have spread among elementary, middle and high school students in metropolitan areas in and around Seoul and Gyeonggi.

The Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development said that 165,866 students in 3,477 schools across the nation contracted the disease, and 68 schools were closed.

Considering preschoolers and adults who developed the disease, the figure expected to rise.

By region, North Gyeongsang province is the highest with 30,625 patients followed by Gwangju (26,287), Gyeonggi (25,288), South Gyeongsang province (22,052), South Cheolla province (18,132), Daegu (10,739) and Seoul (2,365).

On Monday only 28 schools were closed, but the number increased to 68 Tuesday. These schools include 8 elementary schools, 54 middle schools and 6 high schools.

The Ministry orders each school to discourage those students with the disease from coming to school and, if the disease is already spread among students, encourages the school to close. It also instructed education offices in cities and provinces and health care authorities to strengthen disinfection work in areas vulnerable to epidemics.

The Ministry said, “If a family member contracted Apollo disease, do not share towels and even washing stand. In particular, students with the disease should not borrow stationery from other students.”

inchul@donga.com