North announces new flu cases are affecting citizens
Published: 09 Dec. 2009, 21:25
North Korea announced yesterday that the A(H1N1) flu has infected its citizens, confirming speculation that the disease had already reached the reclusive regime.
According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency in Pyongyang, the North’s Ministry of Public Health reported nine confirmed cases of the new flu virus in Sinuiju, a northern city, and in Pyongyang.
“The relevant organ [State Emergency Anti-epidemic Committee] is further perfecting the quarantine system against the spread of this flu virus while properly carrying on prevention and medical treatment,” the report said.
Earlier in the week, a Seoul-based aid group named Good Friends said about a dozen people had died from the flu north of the border and that the disease was quickly spreading among children because Tamiflu medication is in short supply. The North Korean report yesterday didn’t specify where there had been any deaths resulting from the outbreak.
The North’s announcement came just a day after President Lee Myung-bak ordered the government to seek ways to offer the North unconditional help in dealing with the flu. He told the cabinet meeting that such assistance “must be provided swiftly” since the flu could spread quickly in the poor conditions north of the border.
The Unification Ministry in Seoul said yesterday it was preparing to offer quick help, which would include shipping Tamiflu and other medicine. Spokesman Chun Hae-sung said the ministry was consulting with the Ministry of Health and other relevant agencies and that the South government “will take steps to engage North Korea in discussions on cooperation” in disease control. “We are reviewing appropriate measures to provide humanitarian help as quickly as possible,” he said. “We could send a dispatch or contact North Korea’s liaisons. We’re still in the preliminary stages.”
During the Lee administration, inter-Korean relations have soured considerably, as the conservative South Korean president opted to link North Korean aid to the North’s denuclearization efforts. On Oct. 26, South Korea offered North Korea 10,000 tons of corn and 20 tons of powdered milk. The North has yet to announce whether it would accept the offer. The South sent optical cables and conduit lines north of the border to upgrade inter-Korean communication channels.
The South has repeatedly said this year there would be no massive rice aid but that it would still provide “humanitarian assistance” on a smaller scale.
By Yoo Jee-ho [[email protected]]
According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency in Pyongyang, the North’s Ministry of Public Health reported nine confirmed cases of the new flu virus in Sinuiju, a northern city, and in Pyongyang.
“The relevant organ [State Emergency Anti-epidemic Committee] is further perfecting the quarantine system against the spread of this flu virus while properly carrying on prevention and medical treatment,” the report said.
Earlier in the week, a Seoul-based aid group named Good Friends said about a dozen people had died from the flu north of the border and that the disease was quickly spreading among children because Tamiflu medication is in short supply. The North Korean report yesterday didn’t specify where there had been any deaths resulting from the outbreak.
The North’s announcement came just a day after President Lee Myung-bak ordered the government to seek ways to offer the North unconditional help in dealing with the flu. He told the cabinet meeting that such assistance “must be provided swiftly” since the flu could spread quickly in the poor conditions north of the border.
The Unification Ministry in Seoul said yesterday it was preparing to offer quick help, which would include shipping Tamiflu and other medicine. Spokesman Chun Hae-sung said the ministry was consulting with the Ministry of Health and other relevant agencies and that the South government “will take steps to engage North Korea in discussions on cooperation” in disease control. “We are reviewing appropriate measures to provide humanitarian help as quickly as possible,” he said. “We could send a dispatch or contact North Korea’s liaisons. We’re still in the preliminary stages.”
During the Lee administration, inter-Korean relations have soured considerably, as the conservative South Korean president opted to link North Korean aid to the North’s denuclearization efforts. On Oct. 26, South Korea offered North Korea 10,000 tons of corn and 20 tons of powdered milk. The North has yet to announce whether it would accept the offer. The South sent optical cables and conduit lines north of the border to upgrade inter-Korean communication channels.
The South has repeatedly said this year there would be no massive rice aid but that it would still provide “humanitarian assistance” on a smaller scale.
By Yoo Jee-ho [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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