S. Korea confirms four more flu cases

SEOUL, May 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's health authorities said Sunday they have
confirmed four more cases of Influenza A, bringing the nation's total to 39.
According to the health ministry, one American infant and three Korean nationals
were confirmed to have been infected with the H1N1 virus.
All four -- a 16-year-old Korean teenager, a 38-year-old Korean woman, a
28-year-old Korean college student and an 18-month-old American infant -- came
from the United States this week and were quarantined and treated after showing
flu-like symptoms, the ministry said.
South Korea was considered relatively insulated from the highly contagious virus
until last week, with just four confirmed cases reported.
The number, however, is growing sharply after a group of foreign English teachers
was found to be infected by a fellow teacher who arrived here from the U.S.
recently, raising concerns the virus might be spreading through person-to-person
contact.
Thirteen confirmed cases in South Korea are Korean nationals and 21 are U.S.
citizens, according to the government.
According to the latest tally by the World Health Organization, 48 countries have
officially reported more than 13,000 cases of influenza A infection, including 95
deaths. Most deaths have occurred in Mexico and the United States.
hayney@yna.co.kr
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