By Kwon Mee-yoo
Staff Reporter
The government expects the death toll from influenza A to reach 20,000 here in the worst-case scenario if it becomes an epidemic. But some doctors downplayed the data because the estimate was made on "outdated assumptions."
According to data prepared jointly by the Ministry for Health, Welfare and Family Affairs and other ministries, the government estimates that flu patients will reach 100,000-150,000 among which 10,000-20,000 might die. Rep. Choi Young-hee of the opposition Democratic Party released the data.
The number was arrived at under the assumption that preventive measures against flu such as providing antiviral drugs and vaccines would be taken.
If proper measures are not carried out, the ministry expects that some 20 percent of the nation's population will be infected and the death toll will rise to between 20,000 and 40,000.
"If the flu goes epidemic, social and economic costs would be phenomenal. So the government should take preemptive steps, preparing enough antivirals and vaccines," Choi said. "The government and medical institutions must cooperate more closely and the national disaster management system should be activated."
Vaccines are likely to be available only after mid-November at the earliest, while flu infections are expected to peak in October and November in line with the onset of cooler weather.
With the chances the virus could spread quickly, not just schools, but professional sports franchises, too, have been placed on high alert.
Professional baseball and basketball teams are concerned over a possible fall in the number of spectators, and are taking steps to block the spread of the virus.
The Korea Baseball Organization is hoping to reach its largest season attendance total ever ― more than 5.6 million ― by the end of the campaign in October.
Jamsil Baseball Stadium, home of the LG Twins and Doosan Bears, is screening video clips on how to prevent flu. Hanwha Eagles have installed hand antiseptics at 21 entrances and bathrooms at Daejeon Baseball Stadium.
Basketball teams, which will start the new season in October, will be directly affected by the flu in their training as the sport involves physical contact.
A professional basketball player was infected with the flu virus and was excluded from training, and another university team also suspended training after some players picked up the virus.
SK Knights, a Seoul-based pro basketball team, cancelled its overseas training session in the Philippines. "We are asking players not to go overseas unless it's necessary," an official of the team said.
The K-League, Korea's professional soccer association, sent guidelines to protect players and fans from the flu, asking for daily fever checks and the disinfecting of clubhouses. Any flu patients will be isolated for at least seven days.