ID :
61607
Thu, 05/21/2009 - 14:02
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/61607
The shortlink copeid
S. Korea sets up early warning system to counter new influenza outbreak
SEOUL, May 20 (Yonhap) -- South Korea has set up an early warning system to help
health authorities prevent an outbreak of the new type-A influenza, the
government said Wednesday.
The Ministry for Health, Welfare and Family Affairs said it has met with
representatives of the country's medical profession and regional educational
offices to detect any telltale signs of viral infections.
Under the plan, clinics and hospitals will be required to make daily reports on
acute respiratory illnesses and fever cases they have treated, with particular
attention being required from doctors specializing in internal medicine,
pediatrics and otolaryngology.
The country's 180 educational offices will also be required to check all schools
in their respective districts and report any sudden spikes of students missing
school due to ill health. Schools have been told to report students running high
fevers to state-run medical centers.
Type-A influenza causes high fever, coughing, nasal congestion, headache and
diarrhea.
"Any sudden rise in illnesses or suspected cases will be examined in detail, with
emergency countermeasures being implemented if the need arises," an official
said.
He added that the ministry has asked local hospitals to set aside rooms and
special holding areas that can be used to handle influenza patients and to train
their personnel to deal with people infected with the new H1N1 virus that has so
far hit 40 countries worldwide.
The measures come as the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC)
announced Tuesday that South Korea is vulnerable to a pandemic outbreak.
The World Health Organization has said 9,830 people worldwide have tested
positive for the virus. The outbreak has claimed 74 lives since April
South Korea has four confirmed cases of the virus, the most recent being a
Vietnamese national who arrived by plane on Sunday from Seattle. All three Korean
patients have been released from quarantine after making a quick recovery.
The KCDC said 607 suspected cases have been filed in the country, with 545
turning up negative for the virus and with examinations underway for 58 people.
Roughly 30 cases of suspected viral infections are reported on average every day.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)
health authorities prevent an outbreak of the new type-A influenza, the
government said Wednesday.
The Ministry for Health, Welfare and Family Affairs said it has met with
representatives of the country's medical profession and regional educational
offices to detect any telltale signs of viral infections.
Under the plan, clinics and hospitals will be required to make daily reports on
acute respiratory illnesses and fever cases they have treated, with particular
attention being required from doctors specializing in internal medicine,
pediatrics and otolaryngology.
The country's 180 educational offices will also be required to check all schools
in their respective districts and report any sudden spikes of students missing
school due to ill health. Schools have been told to report students running high
fevers to state-run medical centers.
Type-A influenza causes high fever, coughing, nasal congestion, headache and
diarrhea.
"Any sudden rise in illnesses or suspected cases will be examined in detail, with
emergency countermeasures being implemented if the need arises," an official
said.
He added that the ministry has asked local hospitals to set aside rooms and
special holding areas that can be used to handle influenza patients and to train
their personnel to deal with people infected with the new H1N1 virus that has so
far hit 40 countries worldwide.
The measures come as the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC)
announced Tuesday that South Korea is vulnerable to a pandemic outbreak.
The World Health Organization has said 9,830 people worldwide have tested
positive for the virus. The outbreak has claimed 74 lives since April
South Korea has four confirmed cases of the virus, the most recent being a
Vietnamese national who arrived by plane on Sunday from Seattle. All three Korean
patients have been released from quarantine after making a quick recovery.
The KCDC said 607 suspected cases have been filed in the country, with 545
turning up negative for the virus and with examinations underway for 58 people.
Roughly 30 cases of suspected viral infections are reported on average every day.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)
