Young N. Korean defector diagnosed with Influenza A

SEOUL, Nov. 12 (Yonhap) -- A North Korean boy who recently arrived in South Korea
was diagnosed with the Influenza A (H1N1) virus on Thursday, the first case of
the pandemic to be found among North Korean defectors, officials said.
The eight-year-old "was confirmed to have contracted the new flu virus today,"
but his condition is now stable, a government official said, requesting
anonymity.
The boy, who was not identified, arrived in South Korea with his mother in
September and has been staying at the Hanawon resettlement center south of Seoul
for a compulsory three-month program.
After showing symptoms of flu, the boy was put into a quarantine facility Sunday
and given Tamiflu, the official said. The resettlement center, which accommodates
hundreds of defectors, was taking extra caution to prevent further infections.
The case is the first to be found among North Korean defectors in the South.
Sixty-four people have died in South Korea from the virus.
North Korea recently claimed it has not had a single case of Influenza A so far.
hkim@yna.co.kr
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