S. Korea confirms 35 more flu cases

SEOUL, July 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's health authorities Friday confirmed an
additional 35 cases of influenza A, raising the total number of patients infected
with the contagious disease to 1,399.

The new patients, including six soldiers in the same unit and two members of a
church group, tested positive for the H1N1 virus, the Ministry for Health,
Welfare and Family Affairs said in an e-mailed statement.
The latest cases were reported as concerns grow that the disease, which has
claimed hundreds of lives worldwide since it was first confirmed in April, may
become more widespread. No flu-related deaths have been reported here.
On Thursday, the ministry confirmed that an army solider contracted pneumonia
after being infected with the new flu, heightening concerns over South Korea's
ability to stem the spread of the potentially life-threatening disease.
Pneumonia is a common complication among flu patients and is responsible for a
majority of the deaths caused by influenza viruses, experts say.
Most patients infected with the virus here have shown only mild symptoms and have
made brisk recoveries after receiving antibiotic treatment.
As of Friday morning, 66 people remained in isolation at state-designated
hospitals for treatment with 356 being kept at home. The other patients have
recovered after being treated with antibiotics.
The government is intensifying efforts to brace for widespread infections after
it recently upgraded its disease alert level to the second-highest against the
new flu.
kokobj@yna.co.kr
(END)