Olympia 2018: Shortly before Olympia: Swine flu outbreak in North Korea

A massive outbreak of swine flu in North Korea is a major concern for the World Health Organization (WHO) shortly before the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang in the South.

According to WHO data, between 1 January 2008 and 1 January 2007, the number of people in the EU was 1. December and the 16. On 1 January, a total of 126,574 cases of influenza were registered in the north. The aggressive H1N1 virus was detected in 81,640 cases. According to official sources, there are said to have been four deaths, one adult and three infants.

In South Korea, a total of around 3000 athletes from 90 countries will participate in the 23rd World Championships. Winter games in Pyeongchang expected. The Olympic Village was officially opened on Thursday. In addition, numerous Olympic tourists from all over the world are expected.

It is feared that the problem in South Korea could be exacerbated by the entry of North Korean athletes, officials and fans:”Even if you examine the people entering the country thoroughly, they can still bring the virus undetected into the country,”explained William Schaffner, a specialist from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.

In contrast to the North, the comparative figures from South Korea are still relatively low. Accordingly, between the 4. December and the 28. January 1250 people caught the swine flu. However, the number of cases of flu-like symptoms was extremely high. In the week to the 20th. By January 1,60 percent of patients had the same symptoms, compared to 69 percent in the previous week.

A statement by the South Korean Ministry of Agriculture on Wednesday also reported a particularly aggressive form of avian influenza found on poultry farms and wild birds near the capital Seoul. Seoul is about 130 kilometres from the Olympic venue of Pyeongchang. The farms were immediately quarantined.