Two children with type-A flu die in S. Korea

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SEOUL, Oct. 26 (Yonhap) -- Two children infected with Influenza A (H1N1) have
died in South Korea, health authorities said Monday, amid growing concerns that
the contagious disease could turn into a pandemic.
A nine-year-old boy and an 11-year-old girl died after being treated for H1N1,
according to the Ministry for Health, Welfare and Family Affairs. Both suffered
from cerebral palsy. The exact cause of death is still under investigation, it
added.
The report comes as fears are growing over the faster-than-expected spread of the
new flu, prompting some schools to temporarily shut their doors after reporting
flu outbreaks.
Adding to the anxiety, the U.S. recently declared the flu a national emergency,
giving his health chief more authority to speed treatment and protect non
infected patients as the death toll is growing fast.
Until recently, South Korea had been deemed relatively insulated from the
disease, which has claimed the lives of around 5,000 people across the world.
But it has reported 22 deaths -- including the two children -- caused by the flu
in just a couple of months, though most cases were categorized as "highly
vulnerable" as they were either elderly or suffered from chronic diseases. The
first death was confirmed on Aug. 15.
The government is now scurrying to stockpile antiviral drugs and vaccines in
preparation for a further spike in infections.
It plans to vaccinate 35 percent of the country's 49 million population, with
those deemed highly-vulnerable including quarantine staff given priority. The
first round of vaccinations will start on Tuesday.
Health authorities say that the situation here in South Korea is different from
in the United States as most of the deaths stemmed from those risky groups but
the government is mulling launching a comprehensive disaster control center that
combines the roles of related ministries and agencies to better cope with the
worst situation where the disease could turn into a pandemic.
kokobj@yna.co.kr
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