Gov't to spend 18.4 bln won to stem spread of new flu

By Koh Byung-joon
SEOUL, May 26 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean government said Tuesday that it will
spend 18.4 billion won (US$14.6 million) to support efforts aimed at stemming the
further outbreak of Influenza A amid worries the contagious flu virus is fast
spreading.

The decision, endorsed at a Cabinet meeting last Wednesday, comes as the number
of people infected with H1N1 virus has been growing sharply in the past few days
despite the government's stepped-up quarantine efforts. South Korea has confirmed
23 cases of the new flu, most of whom are foreigners.
According to the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, 4.2 billion won will be spent
to strengthen quarantine on inbound travelers and 9.2 billion won to diagnose and
treat people infected with the virus. Around 5 billion won will be set aside to
enhance people's awareness of the disease.
The ministry added that about 200 more staff will be deployed at airports and
seaports across the nation, with additional heat-detecting cameras and other
diagnosis equipment to be purchased to increase capacity of detecting and treat
flu patients.
According to the latest tally by the World Health Organization, 12,515 cases of
the new flu have been confirmed in 46 countries with 91 deaths being attributed
to the virus. All deaths have occurred in Mexico, the United States, Canada and
Costa Rica.
kokobj@yna.co.kr
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