Experts conclude the rate of infection has reached its highest level since 2005, although the rate is expected to decrease in late Nov. when vaccines start to take effect

The rate of people suspected to be infected with the new influenza A virus subtype (H1N1) reached its highest level since health authorities began identifying and tracking rates of infection in South Korea. Experts say that South Korea is now experiencing a ¡°pandemic,¡± and the government plans to announce a change in the alert from ¡°cautious¡° to ¡±serious¡± on Nov. 3.

The Ministry of Health, Welfare and Family Affairs (MHWFA) announced on Monday that between Oct. 18 to Oct. 24, 20.29 cases per 1000 persons who visited the hospital tested positive. The current rate of people suspected to be infected is the highest it has been since 2005.

MHWFA is saying, ¡°Although criteria for assessing a flu pandemic is unclear, the rate of infection has now exceeded the highest level of infection recorded in the past five years of 17 cases per 1000 persons, and as a result, we have decided that we are facing an H1N1 pandemic.¡±

MHWFA anticipates that the rate of people suspected to be infected with the H1N1 will increase over the next three to four weeks, and will decrease beginning at the end of Nov. when vaccines will begin to have an effect on combating the virus.

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