ID :
69745
Fri, 07/10/2009 - 11:21
Auther :

S. Korea confirms 20 more H1N1 flu cases


(ATTN: ADDS Korean woman case in 4-5th para)
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.
Of the new cases, a 36-year-old Korean woman was suspected to have developed the
disease without traveling overseas or contacting any confirmed patient, the
ministry said.
If confirmed, it would be the first such case here, which will prompt concerns
that the disease might be fast spreading across the community. The ministry said
that it is still investigating to determine how she came down with the disease.

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 vaccines to treat 13 million people for the new flu
infection.
As of Friday morning, South Korea has confirmed a total of 367 flu cases, mostly
overseas travelers. Of them, 91 are being treated, with the others having been
discharged from hospitals after showing no further symptoms, according to the
ministry.
kokobj@yna.co.kr
(END)

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