S. Korea confirms 20 more H1N1 flu cases

SEOUL, July 10 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's health authorities said Friday that they
have confirmed 20 additional cases of influenza A, including three Americans,
bringing the total number of infections here to 367.

The patients -- all of whom recently arrived from abroad -- tested positive for
the H1N1 virus after showing flu-like symptoms such as a high fever or sore
throat, the Ministry for Health, Welfare and Family Affairs said in an e-mailed
statement.
They have been placed under close observation at designated hospitals for
isolation and treatment, it added. Other than the three Americans, the new cases
are mostly Korean nationals.
South Korea has been relatively insulated from the global pandemic, which has
claimed more than 400 lives worldwide since the disease was first identified in
April. No deaths have been reported here.
But concerns linger that the spread of the disease could be picking up pace as
two local elementary schools were temporarily closed last week after one of their
students was found to have been infected with the virus.
The government earlier said that it plans to spend nearly 200 billion won (US$157
million) to secure enough vaccine to treat 13 million people for the new flu
infection.
As of Friday morning, South Korea has confirmed a total of 367 cases of the flu,
of which 91 are being treated. The others have been discharged from hospitals
after showing no further symptoms, according to the ministry.
kokobj@yna.co.kr
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