S. Korea reports 2 flu-linked deaths

SEOUL, Oct. 20 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's health authorites reported Tuesday two
more deaths in connection with the H1N1 virus infection, raising the nation's flu
death tally here to 20.
A two-year-old female baby and a 66-year-old man recently died after they were
infected with the type-A influenza, according to the Ministry for Health, Welfare
and Family Affairs.
Both were categorized as "highly vulnerable" patients to the contaigous virus due
to their chronic diseases. The baby had suffered cyanosis while the man had been
treated for kidney cancer, the ministry said.
Since it was first reported here in May, the H1N1 virus has claimed the lives of
20 South Koreans. Most of them were categorized as highly vulnerable patients who
were either elderly or suffering from chronic diseases.
The government is scurrying to stockpile antiviral drugs and vaccines for fear
the flu may spread more widely in the autumn, with a plan to vaccinate 27 percent
of its 49 million people by February next year.
kokobj@yna.co.kr
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