Gov't downgrades flu alert level

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SEOUL, Dec. 10 (Yonhap) -- The government on Thursday downgraded its flu alert to
"orange," the second-highest level, saying the spread of the H1N1 Influenza A
virus has slowed in recent weeks.

The health ministry said nationwide vaccinations and the wide-scale use of
anti-viral drugs have helped control the spread of the flu, which has caused 117
deaths in South Korea. The country maintained the highest "red" alert level since
Nov. 3.
"There has been a noticeable drop in the number of patients and deaths reflecting
the effectiveness of the nationwide monitoring and treatment system," a health
official said.
Last month, Seoul predicted that the spread of the flu would probably peak in
late November and start to fall in December as the vaccinations start to take
effect.
The official also said that the central disaster relief headquarters set up under
the Ministry of Public Administration and Security will be disbanded with the
health ministry's Central Influenza Headquarters to resume overall responsibility
for fighting the flu.
He said that while the number of patients and deaths attributed to the flu have
declined, the government is committed to carrying out vaccinations of school
children, babies and senior citizens according to set timetables.
The government has said vaccinations will be carried out on a total of 19.5
million people or about 40 percent of the total population by the end of
February.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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