S. Korea confirms 47 more flu infections

SEOUL, Aug. 18 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's health authorities said Tuesday they
have confirmed 47 more cases of influenza A, raising the total number of flu
infections here to 2,212, though no additional deaths were reported in connection
with the contagious disease.

The new cases included nine foreigners who came from Taiwan and Malaysia to
participate in an international music festival held in the southern island of
Jeju. They tested positive for the H1N1 virus, the Ministry for Health, Welfare
and Family Affairs said in an emailed statement.
As of Tuesday, a total of 522 people remained in isolation for treatment at home
or in hospital, with most of the others having made full recoveries.
The latest cases come after two Koreans died over the weekend from complications
apparently caused by the flu virus, which has claimed the lives of almost 1,500
people across the world. The two were in their 50s and 60s, respectively.
The infection rate is feared to accelerate as students staying overseas for
language training or short-term trips will return home as the summer vacation
period draws to an end. Nearly half of the total infections involve inbound
travelers.
The government earlier said it will secure enough vaccine to inoculate around 27
percent of the nation's population against the flu virus. The vaccines will be
available beginning in November, ahead of the winter flu season, it added.
kokobj@yna.co.kr
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