SNU Medical Doctor Infected With New Flu

A medical doctor working for a South Korean hospital has been confirmed to have been infected with Influenza A, hospital officials said Tuesday.

The Seoul National University Hospital said one of its staff, 33, has been under close observation for treatment after she tested positive for the H1N1 virus.

She showed flu-like symptoms after returning from a recent trip to the United States to attend an academic conference on gastrointestinal disorders, according to Yonhap News Agency. She voluntarily asked for a medical checkup on June 10 and has been placed under observation since Monday.

The latest case has been reported to the nation's health authorities for confirmation, hospital officials said.

The Ministry for Health, Welfare and Family Affairs said it is conducting tests on samples from the patient and the final results might be available later in the day.

It would mark the first time that a medical worker has been infected with the contagious disease in South Korea. South Korea has confirmed a total of 67 cases of the new flu.