S. Korea confirms 3 additional new flu cases

By Koh Byung-joon
SEOUL, June 17 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's health authorities said Wednesday that
they have confirmed three additional cases of Influenza A, raising the infection
toll here to 70.

The three -- all Korean citizens including one medical doctor whose case was
reported the previous day -- tested positive for the H1N1 virus and have been
placed under close observation at state-designated hospitals for treatment, the
Ministry for Health, Welfare and Family Affairs said in a statement.
The 30-year-old female doctor, who works at Seoul National University Hospital,
showed flu-like symptoms such as throat pain and fever after returning from a
recent trip to the United States, the ministry said. The other two patients -- a
12-year-old and a 15-year-old boy -- also returned from the United States where
they spent their summer vacations.
The ministry added that it is also investigating three others who are suspected
of having contracted the disease.
The latest cases come after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that a
pandemic is underway by raising its disease alert level to the highest last week.
Since it was first reported in late April, 76 countries have reported 35,928
confirmed cases of new flu infection, including 163 deaths. South Korea has
reported no deaths.
Of 70 confirmed cases here, 13 patients still remain isolated for further
treatment with the others being released from hospitals after showing no further
symptoms, the ministry said.
kokobj@yna.co.kr
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