Influenza A Spreads in Korea, Infects 813

The number of people infected with the Influenza A (H1N1) virus in Korea has jumped to 813 and could top 1,000 soon.

The Central Influenza Countermeasures Headquarters of the Health, Welfare and Family Affairs Ministry said yesterday, “Twenty-five people have been newly infected with Influenza A, with six students at an elementary school in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, confirmed to have been infected.”

Fifteen students were infected at the school as of yesterday.

In Busan Friday, a first grader was confirmed to be infected by the Korea Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention, one of 18 students at an elementary school suspected as infected cases.

The newest case in Busan is believed to be a local transmission since the student had never traveled overseas or come into contact with a patient.

Jeon Byung-yul, head of the infectious disease response center at the disease control and prevention center, said, “Since Influenza A has spread extensively throughout the country, it has become meaningless to count the number of infected.”

Health Minister Jeon Jae-hee, who is visiting the U.S., told reporters in New York Saturday, “The U.S. is not quarantining or isolating Influenza A patients,” hinting at a change in Seoul’s strategy from prevention to treatment.

woohaha@donga.com