S. Korea confirms 14 more H1N1 flu cases

SEOUL, July 12 (Yonhap) -- South Korea has confirmed 14 more cases of influenza A, including two Indonesians who participated in an international choir festival, bringing the total number of infections here to 446, health authorities said Sunday.

The other 12 patients are Korean nationals, most of whom had recently returned
from trips overseas. A total of 127 patients are now being treated at
state-designated hospitals. The others have been released after showing no
further symptoms.
Health officials fear the disease may have spread to other people attending the
choir contest. So far, 15 people -- 14 Indonesians and one Korean volunteer
worker -- have fallen ill with the virus after attending the festival.
South Korea has been relatively insulated from the highly contagious disease,
originally called "swine flu." Health officials are concerned the number of
infections could spike as more Koreans travel in and out of the country for
summer vacation.
On June 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the H1N1 flu the first
influenza pandemic since 1968 and raised its disease alert status to the highest
level.
According to the latest tally by the WHO, the new flu has claimed more than 400
lives worldwide since it was first identified in April
No deaths from the virus have been reported in South Korea.
hayney@yna.co.kr
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