Mystery virus claims 2nd victim

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Mystery virus claims 2nd victim

The second victim of a mystery virus that has infected eight patients from different parts of the country died yesterday.

According to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the virus, dubbed “acute interstitial pneumonia” by health authorities, killed the first pregnant woman on May 10. The second pregnant woman died at 4 a.m. yesterday.

Seven of the eight patients are females who are pregnant or had recently given birth. One is an adult male in his 40s.

Similar to the first victim - a 36-year-old pregnant woman - the 32-year-old pregnant woman, identified as “A” was hospitalized on April 21 complaining of a severe cough and difficulty breathing and was placed in intensive care after developing pulmonary fibrosis, or scarring of the lungs. The doctors were able to save the baby by inducing labor, just like the first victim, according to the KCDC.

The KCDC said all eight patients were hospitalized to receive treatment for various conditions suspected to be caused by the same unidentified virus. All of them initially received treatment at different clinics, but were later transferred to Asan Medical Center in Seoul. Four patients remain hospitalized. Two were released after receiving lung transplants, the KCDC said. The KCDC said it has been checking 43 university hospitals throughout the country to see if other patients are suffering from similar symptoms. The KCDC is waiting for DNA results of the virus.


By Yim Seung-hye [sharon@joongang.co.kr]

한글 관련 기사 [연합]
원인불명 폐렴으로 산모 1명 또 숨져

서울의 한 병원에 입원해 치료 중이던 산모 1명이 26일 새벽 원인 불명의 폐렴으로 숨졌다. 질병관리본부에 따르면 숨진 A씨(36)는 기침과 호흡곤란 증세로 병원을 찾은 뒤 폐가 딱딱하게 굳어지는 ‘폐 섬유화’ 진단을 받고 지난달 21일 중환자실에 입원 후 치료를 받아 왔다. 지난 10일에도 유사 증상을 보였던 산모가 사망했다.
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