Pregnant woman suspected of being infected by new flu strain: gov't

By Lee Joon-seung
SEOUL, June 1 (Yonhap) -- A pregnant South Korean woman is suspected of having
contracted the new type-A influenza that has spread to 53 countries worldwide,
government health authorities said Monday.

The 32-year-old woman is three months pregnant and is the mother of an
18-month-old child who was confirmed to have contracted the flu on Sunday, the
Ministry for Health, Welfare and Family Affairs said.
It said the case marks the first time in South Korea that a pregnant woman has
shown symptoms of the flu that has killed 99 out of 15,510 people infected around
the world.
Seoul has confirmed 39 cases of the flu virus thus far, with many having been
released from quarantine after showing no side effects.
"The person did not initially show signs of having contracted the type-A H1N1
virus, but had been quarantined because she was to stay with her child," an
official said. He said more detailed tests showed that she may have been
infected, although it may take a little longer to determine if she does indeed
have the virus.
"At present, the symptoms are weak and because she is pregnant, the woman has
opted not to take any drugs," the quarantine official said.
He noted, however, that if the woman is confirmed to have been infected with the
virus, it may be prudent to take antiviral drugs like Tamiflu that the World
Health Organization (WHO) said poses minimal risks to an unborn child.
The expert said the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends
similar treatment for pregnant women.
The health ministry, meanwhile, said that it is asking South Koreans living
abroad who plan to return to put off their travel plans until they make certain
that they are not sick.
Most patients found in the country have come from abroad or are foreigners.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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