S Korea reports two more death cases linked to A/H1N1

SEOUL, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- South Korea on Tuesday reported two more death cases related to the A/H1N1 flu, raising the country's death toll from the new contagious disease to 42.

According to the Ministry for Health, Welfare and Family Affairs, a 71-year-old man and a 48-year-old man died recently after having infected with the A/H1N1 virus.

The older man, a resident of Jeolla Province, who has long suffered from cancer, died on Saturday, the ministry said, noting he was regarded as a "high-risk" patient.

The younger one, living in the central area, who did not suffer from any chronic illness, began to show flu-like symptoms on Oct. 23, and was treated with antiviral drug on Oct. 24, but died on Sunday as his conditions worsened due to lung problems, the ministry said.

Fears are growing in South Korea recently over the fast spread of the new flu as a daily average of near 9,000 new cases of A/H1N1 was reported last week.

The South Korean government on Tuesday raised its alert level against the A/H1N1 flu from the second-highest "Orange" to the highest "Red", calling on its people to pay closer attention to the new contagious disease.

It also said it would launch the country's first central anti-disaster headquarters to deal with the disease.