The H1N1 flu spread is showing signs of slowing down. The number of prescriptions for antiviral drugs for both suspected and confirmed H1N1 patients soared from a daily average of 15,378 on Oct. 19-24 to 67,894 last week, but dropped a little this week, an official at the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

Since Oct. 26, health authorities allowed doctors to use their discretion in prescribing antiviral drugs for patients with acute respiratory diseases, regardless whether they were in the high-risk group, and made them available at any drugstores. 

Experts attribute the slowdown of the spread to the mass release of antiviral drugs, temporary closure of schools, cancellation of public events, and increased alertness. But they warned the slowdown may be temporary.