S. Korea confirms 28 more flu cases

SEOUL, Aug. 4 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's health authorities said Tuesday they have
confirmed an additional 28 cases of influenza A, with the total infection tally
exceeding 1,500. No deaths have been reported here in connection with the
disease.
The new patients, including an elementary school student in the southern port
city of Busan, tested positive for the H1N1 virus, the Ministry for Health,
Welfare and Maritime Affairs said in an e-mailed statement.
The new cases brought the total number of people confirmed to have been infected
with the contagious disease to 1,520. As of Saturday morning, 22 people remained
in isolation at state-designated hospitals, with 281 being treated at home. The
other patients recovered fully after receiving antibiotics.
South Korea has been relatively insulated from the disease, which has claimed the
lives of hundreds of people worldwide since it was first reported in April.
But fears are growing that the disease could be spreading quickly
person-to-person as more patients are confirmed from the military, church camps
and other outdoor gatherings.
The government is intensifying efforts to brace for widespread infection by
stockpiling vaccine. It recently upgraded its disease alert status to the
second-highest level.
kokobj@yna.co.kr
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