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South Korea testing for swine flu South Korea testing for swine flu
(20 minutes later)
South Korean officials have found a suspected case of swine flu in a woman who recently returned from Mexico.South Korean officials have found a suspected case of swine flu in a woman who recently returned from Mexico.
Health authorities are carrying out clinical tests on the woman, officials and news reports said.Health authorities are carrying out clinical tests on the woman, officials and news reports said.
Mexico, with 149 deaths suspected to be due to the virus, is the epicentre. The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised its alert level.Mexico, with 149 deaths suspected to be due to the virus, is the epicentre. The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised its alert level.
In Asia, several countries have been conducting tests on travellers to check for symptoms of swine flu.In Asia, several countries have been conducting tests on travellers to check for symptoms of swine flu.
In Australia, 19 people are being tested, with several hundred more who might have had contact with the disease being sought.In Australia, 19 people are being tested, with several hundred more who might have had contact with the disease being sought.
New Zealand has identified 10 probable cases, and is investigating another 56 among people who have recently returned from Mexico or neighbouring countries.New Zealand has identified 10 probable cases, and is investigating another 56 among people who have recently returned from Mexico or neighbouring countries.
China and Thailand are among the countries reported to have banned imports of meat products from some parts of the US and Mexico as they attempt to protect themselves from the virus.China and Thailand are among the countries reported to have banned imports of meat products from some parts of the US and Mexico as they attempt to protect themselves from the virus.
Human to humanHuman to human
The South Korean case involves a 51-year-old Korean woman who has been quarantined at her home near the capital, Seoul, and given antiviral medicine, an official told the Associated Press news agency.The South Korean case involves a 51-year-old Korean woman who has been quarantined at her home near the capital, Seoul, and given antiviral medicine, an official told the Associated Press news agency.
She had returned home from Mexico via Los Angeles on Sunday, said Jun Byong-yul of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.She had returned home from Mexico via Los Angeles on Sunday, said Jun Byong-yul of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Two other people in South Korea who were suspected to have contracted the virus have tested negative.Two other people in South Korea who were suspected to have contracted the virus have tested negative.
SWINE FLU Swine flu is a respiratory disease thought to spread through coughing and sneezingSymptoms mimic those of normal fluGood hygiene like using a tissue and washing hands thoroughly can help reduce transmission Swine flu cases confirmed in UK Q&A: What is swine flu? 'I couldn't get out of bed'SWINE FLU Swine flu is a respiratory disease thought to spread through coughing and sneezingSymptoms mimic those of normal fluGood hygiene like using a tissue and washing hands thoroughly can help reduce transmission Swine flu cases confirmed in UK Q&A: What is swine flu? 'I couldn't get out of bed'
The WHO's decision to raise the alert level to four came after an emergency meeting of experts, brought forward by a day because of concerns over the outbreak.The WHO's decision to raise the alert level to four came after an emergency meeting of experts, brought forward by a day because of concerns over the outbreak.
The level was raised from three to four - two steps short of declaring a full pandemic.The level was raised from three to four - two steps short of declaring a full pandemic.
Level four means the virus is showing a sustained ability to pass from human to human, and is able to cause community-level outbreaks.Level four means the virus is showing a sustained ability to pass from human to human, and is able to cause community-level outbreaks.
WHO Assistant Director General Dr Keiji Fukuda said a pandemic was not inevitable, but containment was no longer plausible and countries should focus on protecting the population.WHO Assistant Director General Dr Keiji Fukuda said a pandemic was not inevitable, but containment was no longer plausible and countries should focus on protecting the population.
In Mexico 149 people are believed to have died from the swine flu outbreak, though just 20 cases there are confirmed.In Mexico 149 people are believed to have died from the swine flu outbreak, though just 20 cases there are confirmed.
Other, milder, cases are confirmed in the US, Canada, Spain and Britain.Other, milder, cases are confirmed in the US, Canada, Spain and Britain.
VaccineVaccine
Earlier, Beijing banned pork imports from Mexico and the US states of Texas, Kansas and California with immediate effect, according to state news agency Xinhua.Earlier, Beijing banned pork imports from Mexico and the US states of Texas, Kansas and California with immediate effect, according to state news agency Xinhua.
FLU PANDEMICS 1918: The Spanish flu pandemic remains the most devastating outbreak of modern times - infecting up to 40% of the world's population and killing more than 50m people, with young adults particularly badly affected 1957: Asian flu killed two million people. Caused by a human form of the virus, H2N2, combining with a mutated strain found in wild ducks. The elderly were particularly vulnerable 1968: An outbreak first detected in Hong Kong, and caused by a strain known as H3N2, killed up to one million people globally, with those over 65 most likely to dieFLU PANDEMICS 1918: The Spanish flu pandemic remains the most devastating outbreak of modern times - infecting up to 40% of the world's population and killing more than 50m people, with young adults particularly badly affected 1957: Asian flu killed two million people. Caused by a human form of the virus, H2N2, combining with a mutated strain found in wild ducks. The elderly were particularly vulnerable 1968: An outbreak first detected in Hong Kong, and caused by a strain known as H3N2, killed up to one million people globally, with those over 65 most likely to die
China's Ministry of Health has warned its citizens to be vigilant, although it also noted that so far there is no evidence that the new flu virus can be spread through food.China's Ministry of Health has warned its citizens to be vigilant, although it also noted that so far there is no evidence that the new flu virus can be spread through food.
Thailand was also reported to have banned meat and pork imports from some parts of the US.Thailand was also reported to have banned meat and pork imports from some parts of the US.
In Hong Kong, where the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars) killed hundreds of people in 2003, a series of tough measures have been announced.In Hong Kong, where the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars) killed hundreds of people in 2003, a series of tough measures have been announced.
All travellers are to be screened on arrival and anyone who is ill will be quarantined.All travellers are to be screened on arrival and anyone who is ill will be quarantined.
Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia have announced similar plans, with many airports using devices that were put in place to monitor Sars and bird flu over the last few years.Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia have announced similar plans, with many airports using devices that were put in place to monitor Sars and bird flu over the last few years.
Tokyo has announced that Mexican citizens will no longer be able to obtain visas on arrival in Japan.
H1N1 is the same strain that causes seasonal flu outbreaks in humans but the newly detected version contains genetic material from versions of flu which usually affect pigs and birds.H1N1 is the same strain that causes seasonal flu outbreaks in humans but the newly detected version contains genetic material from versions of flu which usually affect pigs and birds.
It is spread mainly through coughs and sneezes.It is spread mainly through coughs and sneezes.
Mr Fukuda of the WHO said the first batches of a swine flu vaccine could be ready in four to six months, but it would take several more months to produce it large quantities.Mr Fukuda of the WHO said the first batches of a swine flu vaccine could be ready in four to six months, but it would take several more months to produce it large quantities.
Are you in a country which has confirmed the virus? Do you know someone who has been affected by the outbreak? Are you a health worker in one of the affected countries? Tell us your experiences by filling in the form below.Are you in a country which has confirmed the virus? Do you know someone who has been affected by the outbreak? Are you a health worker in one of the affected countries? Tell us your experiences by filling in the form below.
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