S. Korea confirms 20 more flu cases

SEOUL, June 25 (Yonhap) -- South Korea has confirmed 20 more cases of the new
influenza A, including seven people returning from a school trip to the United
States, bringing the nation's total number of flu infections to 162, health
authorities said Thursday.

The 20 patients tested positive for the H1N1 virus mostly after returning from
trips overseas, while four contracted the virus through direct contact with
patients, the health ministry said in a statement. A total of 40 patients,
including the newly infected, are being treated at state-designated hospitals.
The latest infections come as the disease seems to be spreading at a faster pace
across the world.
South Korea has been relatively insulated from the highly contagious virus,
originally called "swine flu." But authorities worry that infections could
increase, with many Koreans returning home or taking overseas trips with the
summer vacation season drawing near.
On June 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the new H1N1 flu the
first influenza pandemic since 1968 and raised its disease alert status to the
highest level.
According to the latest tally by the WHO, more than 50,000 confirmed cases of new
flu infections have been reported worldwide since H1N1 was first identified in
April, with a total of 231 deaths blamed on the contagious virus.
No deaths have been reported in South Korea.
hayney@yna.co.kr
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