S. Korea confirms 5 additional flu cases

By Koh Byung-joon
SEOUL, June 18 (Yonhap) -- Five additional cases of Influenza A including an
American citizen, have been confirmed, bringing the total number of new flu
infections here to 79, South Korean health authorities said Thursday.

The five tested positive for the H1N1 virus after returning from trips overseas,
the Ministry for Health, Welfare and Family Affairs said in a statement. They are
all being treated at state-designated hospitals.
The latest cases, most of whom are students, come as the disease seems to be
spreading at a faster pace across the world.
On Wednesday, Brazil reported a variant of the new flu virus, raising fears that
it may become more difficult to treat the disease, which causes coughing, high
fever and throat pain.
Last week, the World Health Organization stated that a pandemic is underway,
raising its disease alert status to the highest level.
South Korea has remained relatively insulated from the virus. As of Thursday
morning, 24 people including five unconfirmed patients were under close
observation for treatment at state-designated hospitals.
But as the summer vacation season draws near, experts worry that infection could
accelerate as Koreans studying abroad in hard-hit countries such as the United
Sates and Australia return home.
According to the latest tally by the World Health Organization, 76 countries have
officially reported a total of 35,928 infections and 163 deaths related to the
disease, mostly in Mexico and the United States.
No deaths have been reported in South Korea.
kokobj@yna.co.kr
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