Seoul wary of H1N1 transmission to N. Korea

With the H1N1 flu fast spreading across the nation, the South Korean government is on close watch for possible transmission of the virus across the border to North Korea.

Seoul yesterday raised the alert against H1N1, also known as Influenza A, to the highest "red" level as daily infections surpassed 10,000 with the cold weather.

Fears are rising over further contraction of inter-Korean exchange should the South Koreans traveling to the joint industrial park in Gaeseong carry the flu virus with them to North Korea.

When the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome was prevalent in 2003, North Korea stopped receiving South Korean tourists, suspending tours to its Mount Geumgang resort for two months.



"We have not heard of H1N1 infection in Gaeseong so far," a Seoul official said.

"We will cooperate with the North Korean authorities if necessary to prevent its spread."

The South Korean government set up heat detecting devices at the inter-Korean immigrations office in Dorasan in September to filter out those suspected of infection.

All South Korean factories and offices in the North`s border town of Gaeseong are equipped with thermometers and hand sanitizers. The employees have thoroughly been educated on how to prevent infection. Any South Korean worker found with the H1N1 virus is bound to return to the South immediately.

It is unknown, however, whether treatment for the Influenza A is possible in Gaeseong.

In May, the World Health Organization provided an emergency stockpile of Tamiflu to North Korea and other developing countries, but the antiviral drug is reportedly still unavailable at the Green Doctors Hospital in Gaeseong.

Pyongyang`s state media announced last week that no Influenza A cases have been reported in the country and that it was tightening quarantine inspection.

"Strict anti-epidemic work is now under way in the DPRK where no H1N1 flu has yet occurred," the North`s Korean Central News Agency said on Friday.

"We have bolstered quarantine inspections at airports, seaports and border posts as the number of new influenza cases is on steady rise in nearby countries and regions."

North Korea said it was making intergovernmental efforts to prevent the spread of the new influenza virus from other countries. The State Emergency Epidemic Prevention Committee has set up a well-regulated information system, and other agencies have organized workshops to educate health workers on dealing with the new flu, the KCNA said.

"Those suspected of H1N1 infection are sent to health institutions to undergo tests," it added. The report did not clarify whether the country does have suspected cases.

(sophie@heraldm.com)



By Kim So-hyun