H1N1 alert level is raised to RED

The government raised the level of the H1N1 influenza pandemic to its highest ‘Red’ level. Jun Jae-hee, The Minister of Health, Welfare and Family Affairs (MHWFA) reported this to President Lee during a cabinet meeting.

The H1N1 alert level is divided into four phases - Blue, Yellow, Orange and Red. The government announced ‘Yellow’ level on the 21st of July and maintained this level. Since more than 10,000 new H1N1 cases per day were recorded and people have died, the government finally raised the level to ‘Red’. The government made the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention including the minister of Public Administration and Security and decided to be under emergency work system to prevent the spread of the H1N1.

The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been made for natural disasters such as typhoons and floods but this is the first time to be made for the spread of infectious diseases. The minister of Public Administration and Security is the head of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other top executives to be responsible for the prevention, response, work control, and integrated management on situation. When the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention set up, extra Centers for control will be operated in 16 cities and provinces, 230 cities and towns.

Instead of not closing schools which are the centers of the spread of H1N1, the government will finish giving flu vaccines to elementary• middle• high school students until the beginning of December by putting more people like military surgeons.

Meanwhile, President Lee asked for full coordination between ministries and local governments to allay growing public concerns over the rapidly spreading Influenza. President Lee also said, “This is not an issue to be dealt by the health ministry alone. All ministries should act responsibly and cooperate to come up with an effective system” and “All ministries should cooperate by controlling vaccinations and the treatment to ensure people remain calm amid fear about the virus.”


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