February 24, 2010

Japan, North Korea, South Korea - Pandemic Influenza Update
Japanese authorities reported that overall influenza activity continued to decline Feb. 10-17, but reported three new clusters of infections in hospitals and two new clusters in daycare facilities Feb. 8-14. Officials confirmed 193 pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza-related deaths and approximately 17,400 hospitalizations as of Feb. 16.

North Korean authorities reported 24 pandemic influenza infections to the World Health Organization (WHO) as of Feb. 23 but no pandemic-related deaths. However, a cross-border welfare group from Seoul, South Korea, reported Dec. 7, 2009 that pandemic influenza had been spreading rapidly in North Korea. The group claimed that seven children died of pandemic influenza in Pyongyang and two children died in Pyongsong, South Pyongan Province, in November 2009. Other reports claimed as many as 40 people may have died in Sinuiju alone. These claims may be corroborated by North Korea's acceptance of 400,000 treatment courses of Tamiflu and 100,000 courses of Relenza from the South Korean government in December 2009, as well as 200,000 liters of hand sanitizer in February.

South Korean officials reported a significant decline in pandemic influenza activity following a peak in late October 2009. Despite decreased levels of activity, authorities continue to report roughly 500 new cases per day as of Feb. 22. Pandemic influenza vaccination is now available to everyone in South Korea.