(2nd LD) S. Korea raises flu alert to highest level to prepare for emergency

(ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead; UPDATES with more details throughout)
SEOUL, Nov. 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korea on Tuesday raised its flu alert status to
the highest "red" level to prepare for a possible national emergency caused by
the rapid spread of Influenza A (H1N1).
The Ministry for Health, Welfare and Family Affairs said in a news briefing the
number of H1N1 flu cases has shot up recently with the onset of cold weather and
may peak in three or four weeks.
The country had maintained its "orange" alert status since July 21 but decided to
raise it as an average of 8,857 people caught the new flu per day last week, up
from 4,420 tallied for the week before. A total of 42 people have died in South
Korea from the flu since mid-August.
As part of its preparation effort, a central disaster relief headquarters will be
set up Wednesday under the Ministry of Public Administration and Security. It
will be tasked with overall preparations such as providing more hospital beds,
intensive care units and medical personnel.
"There is a possibility that the number of H1N1 cases in the country could shoot
up around late November and that requires readiness," said Park Ha-jeong, a
deputy minister for public health.
He added that the role of the disaster relief headquarters will be to get a
complete picture of the resources that can be utilized in the worst case scenario
on a national and regional level.
"The organization will check the number of cases reported across the country,
hospitals that can treat patients, and will set up priorities for treatment so
serious H1N1 cases can get medical attention more quickly," the official said.
Park said that besides getting the country prepared, ongoing efforts to cope with
serious flu cases and move forward with vaccination on about 35 percent of the
population will be quickened.
"The government will mobilize all available medical personnel to treat patients
and enhance the country's capability to provide anti-viral drugs," he said.
The policymaker said once ongoing vaccinations for doctors is concluded, both
civilian and military medical personnel will be employed to help with
vaccinations at schools, starting around Nov. 16.
"By using all doctors, school vaccinations should be completed in about four
weeks, compared to six weeks which had been the original target," he said.
The exact number of military doctors that may be employed may reach 400-500, with
the government able to use up to 5,000 civilian doctors.
The deputy minister, however, made clear that Seoul is not contemplating the
closure of schools and workplaces to curb the spread of the epidemic since most
experts have said such steps will not be effective.
"The H1N1 is spreading fast but its fatality rate is roughly similar to seasonal
flu and much lower than the severe acute respiratory syndrome or bird flu
epidemics that have scared the world in the past," he said.
The ministry, which is in charge of public health matters, also said it is
testing the safety of Peramivir injections, which may be able to help serious flu
patients.
By speeding up the review process, local authorization for the drug use could be
given in the near future, although this may be reserved for severe cases, the
ministry said.
Reflecting the degree of public concern brought on by the flu, President Lee
Myung-bak called earlier in the day for full coordination between ministries and
local governments.
"This is not an issue to be dealt by the health ministry alone. All ministries
should act responsibly and cooperate to come up with an effective system," the
president was quoted as saying by his spokesperson during a Cabinet meeting.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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