ID :
61316
Tue, 05/19/2009 - 16:01
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/61316
The shortlink copeid
Vietnamese traveler confirmed as new flu case: S. Korea
(ATTN: UPDATES with new details in paras 3-4, ADDS new information in para 6-7)
SEOUL, May 19 (Yonhap) -- South Korean health authorities confirmed Tuesday that
a Vietnamese transit passenger quarantined at a local hospital has been infected
with the new type-A influenza virus.
The 22-year-old woman who arrived in South Korea from Seattle on Sunday afternoon
planned to take a connecting flight to Vietnam, but was held for observation
after complaining of high fever, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (KCDC) said.
"Tests conducted on the woman showed she has been infected with the new flu
virus," an official with the center said. He added, however, that she is
currently in good health with no fever or signs of respiratory complications
after having been given antiviral drug treatment.
The woman, whose name has not been released, is the fourth confirmed case of the
new flu virus detected in South Korea, although the World Health Organization
(WHO) has yet to decide whether to classify her as a South Korean or Vietnamese
case.
Seoul confirmed three cases of the variant H1N1 virus earlier in the month. All
were released from quarantine after responding well to antiviral drug treatment.
Health authorities, meanwhile, said they have checked the cabin attendants and 17
people who were within a 2-meter-radius of the woman on the plane, with none
showing any signs of the illness. These people have been asked to stay at home
for at least nine days for observation and given medication. Officials are
currently trying to locate two other people, including one foreigner who was near
the infected woman but could not be contacted immediately.
Of the 84 other passengers on the plane, 47 have been checked with none showing
any noticeable symptoms. Efforts are underway to contact with the rest to conduct
tests.
According to the World Health Organization, the new virus strain has hit 40
countries worldwide, infecting a total of 8,829 people. Of those, 74 have died
from the virus that is capable of person-to-person transmission.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)
SEOUL, May 19 (Yonhap) -- South Korean health authorities confirmed Tuesday that
a Vietnamese transit passenger quarantined at a local hospital has been infected
with the new type-A influenza virus.
The 22-year-old woman who arrived in South Korea from Seattle on Sunday afternoon
planned to take a connecting flight to Vietnam, but was held for observation
after complaining of high fever, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (KCDC) said.
"Tests conducted on the woman showed she has been infected with the new flu
virus," an official with the center said. He added, however, that she is
currently in good health with no fever or signs of respiratory complications
after having been given antiviral drug treatment.
The woman, whose name has not been released, is the fourth confirmed case of the
new flu virus detected in South Korea, although the World Health Organization
(WHO) has yet to decide whether to classify her as a South Korean or Vietnamese
case.
Seoul confirmed three cases of the variant H1N1 virus earlier in the month. All
were released from quarantine after responding well to antiviral drug treatment.
Health authorities, meanwhile, said they have checked the cabin attendants and 17
people who were within a 2-meter-radius of the woman on the plane, with none
showing any signs of the illness. These people have been asked to stay at home
for at least nine days for observation and given medication. Officials are
currently trying to locate two other people, including one foreigner who was near
the infected woman but could not be contacted immediately.
Of the 84 other passengers on the plane, 47 have been checked with none showing
any noticeable symptoms. Efforts are underway to contact with the rest to conduct
tests.
According to the World Health Organization, the new virus strain has hit 40
countries worldwide, infecting a total of 8,829 people. Of those, 74 have died
from the virus that is capable of person-to-person transmission.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)
