Korea is overreacting to the spread of the A(H1N1) virus, according to the
head of a hospital that has treated the largest number of patients infected
so far with the new flu.
Kim Jong-seok, head of Incheon Medical Center, said Korea is “overly
panicked” and that the general public would be less anxious once people have
the full story.
“I was shocked to see even doctors express fear about the new flu,” said Kim
after participating in a meeting of 360 hospital officials to discuss
government designation of hospitals capable of treating A(H1N1). “I wanted
to share my opinions but I couldn’t say anything due to the grave atmosphere
at the meeting.”
The Incheon hospital is one of five state-designated hospitals equipped with
negative pressure isolation rooms. Negative air pressure within a room
causes air to flow into the room from the outside whenever a door or window
is opened, thus preventing the spread of the virus.
The hospital has 25 isolation units including five negative pressure
isolation rooms and has treated the largest number of A(H1N1) patients due
to its geographic proximity to Seoul. Of the 290 people it has treated so
far, only four to five remain hospitalized and others have returned home, he
said.
None of the three deaths from the disease in Korea came from the hospital
and only two were treated at an intensive care unit. “I think there’s some
misunderstanding about the death and infection rates [of the new flu],” he
said.
Other experts agree the domestic situation with the flu is “much better”
than in other countries. Out of 3,962 confirmed cases in Korea as of last
Friday, three have died, a mortality rate of 0.08 percent, but the rate
ranges between 1 and 1.5 percent even in developed countries such as the
United States, Britain and Australia. The readings are still low compared to
similar flu-like outbreaks in the recent past.
The mortality rate of Severe Acute Respiratory Symptom, or SARS, was 10
percent between 2002 and 2003, and avian influenza killed six out of 10
patients in 2005, according to the World Health Organization.
“I would say we have been waging a winning battle against H1N1 flu,” said
Park Seung-cheol, head of the national committee for measures against the
new virus.
Kim Wu-joo, a professor at Korea University’s medical center, agreed. “The
government’s easygoing handling of the disease at first has added to the
ongoing panic but the current situation is not that serious,” he said
Meanwhile, the Defense Ministry said yesterday it will allow men infected
with the influenza or those suspected of contracting the disease to delay
the start of their military service. “Those set to be enlisted can select a
date for recruitment after getting better,” said a ministry spokesman.
According to the ministry, the number of confirmed A(H1N1) cases in the
Korean military totaled 606 as of yesterday, of whom 482 have been released
after treatment. The remaining 124 are currently hospitalized.
But the number of confirmed cases is expected to rise as an additional 120
soldiers are undergoing treatment for suspected symptoms at military
hospitals and bases.
Source : JoongAng Daily
