(LEAD) S. Korea confirms 9th new flu death

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SEOUL, Sept. 22 (Yonhap) -- A South Korean woman who became brain-dead due to
complications from Influenza A (H1N1) has died, local health officials said
Tuesday, raising the total number of flu-linked deaths here to nine.

The 40-year-old woman was pronounced brain-dead earlier this month after
experiencing a high fever and respiratory problems and testing positive for the
new flu virus, according to the Ministry for Health, Welfare and Family Affairs.
Before becoming brain-dead, the patient had seemed to be recovering after being
treated with antiviral drugs but her condition deteriorated suddenly as she
developed cerebral edema and hemorrhaging, the ministry said.
A separate death reported on Friday is still under investigation as to whether it
was directly caused by the flu virus, the ministry added.
Since the first infection was confirmed in May, South Korea has reported over
10,000 total type-A flu cases. Most patients have recovered after being given
antiviral medicine, but fears are growing the virus could spread more quickly as
the flu season approaches.
According to the ministry, a total of nine flu patients are currently being
observed at hospitals, with three showing "very serious" symptoms, raising
concerns there may be more flu-related deaths in the near future.
The government earlier said it plans to inoculate some 13.4 million people or 27
percent of the nation's population by next February.
kokobj@yna.co.kr
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