South Korean health authorities on Monday reported three children died of A/H1N1 flu, raising the country's death toll from the new virus to 23.

 

According to the Ministry for Health, Welfare and Family Affairs, two kids, a nine-year-old boy and an 11-year-old girl infected with A/H1N1 virus, have died earlier in the day at a hospital in the central city of Daejeon.

 

The two, having suffered from cerebral palsy, were admitted to hospital on Oct. 24 and 25 respectively due to high fever, and later were confirmed infected with the new virus.

 

Later in the day, the authorities reported an additional death of a 14-year-old middle school student who is also known to have died after being infected with the flu.

 

Further investigations were conducted by the health authorities to find the exact cause of the three deaths and the route of infection.

 

Fears are growing in South Korea recently over the fast spread of the new flu. Some schools have to suspend classes after reporting flu outbreaks, according to local media.

 

The government is considering setting up a government-wide national emergency management agency to cope with the A/H1N1 flu.

 

Local media reported that related ministries will discuss whether to pursue such a move this week.

 

The government is also considering taking stronger measures against the spread of the flu at schools.

 

South Korea reported its first new flu outbreak in early May, and its first death case from A/H1N1 on Aug. 15.