MERS Outbreak Dealt a Severe Blow to South Korea

Though the number of new patients has declined since mid-June, officials are cautious as they monitor developments at another hospital in eastern Seoul.

For the first time in nine days, South Korea reported no new cases of MERS or deaths from the virus, but officials warned there was no indication yet that the outbreak had been brought under control.

The number of those infected with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome remained unchanged for two days in a row at 182, the health ministry said.

South Korea Reports No New MERS Case for the Second Consecutive Day
The MERS virus, for which there is no vaccine, has spread at an unusually rapid pace in South Korea, becoming the largest outbreak outside Saudi Arabia.

The death toll also remained unchanged from 32 on Sunday. It is the first time that the country has reported no additional infections as well as no new deaths since June 20.

Then, officials voiced hope that they were winning the battle against the outbreak -- only to see the number of fatalities and infections rise again, sparking public criticism that their optimism was premature.

The number of new patients has generally been in decline since mid-June, when it often jumped by double digits -- with many of the new infections stemming from Samsung Medical Centre in Seoul, at the epicenter of the outbreak.

Monitor Passengers at Airport to Stop MERS Entry into India: Medical Experts
Medical experts warn that MERS is 70 times severe than swine flu or other respiratory diseases and can cause respiratory failure, organ failure and septic shock.

But officials remained cautious as they monitored developments at another hospital in eastern Seoul, where a MERS patient potentially came into contact with thousands of people before being diagnosed on June 22 and dying two days later.

"This week falls within the incubation period involving that case, so we are keeping a close eye on the situation and will do our best to prevent further spread of the virus," Kwon Duk-Cheol, a senior health ministry official, told reporters.

South Korea Reports Another Death Due to MERS, Total Death Toll is 32
The mortality rate of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome outbreak in South Korea is currently at 17.5%, up from 15% a week ago and 10% two weeks ago.

A total of 2,682 people are currently under quarantine either in state facilities or at home.

Fourteen patients are in critical condition, the ministry said, adding a total of 93 people have recovered and been released from hospital, including two on Sunday.

MERS Cases Rise to 181, Death Total Rises to 31: South Korean Health Ministry
The South Korean health ministry reported 181 cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome and two deaths due to the virus, escalating the toll to 31.

The outbreak began on May 20 when a 68-year-old man was diagnosed after returning from a trip from Saudi Arabia.

Since then the potentially deadly virus has spread at an unusually rapid pace, becoming the largest outbreak outside Saudi Arabia and sparking public alarm at home and elsewhere in Asia.

There is no vaccine for the disease, which has a mortality rate of about 36%, according to World Health Organization.

The fatality rate in South Korea is about 17%.

The outbreak has dealt a severe blow to the Asia’s fourth-largest economy, with the government facing a storm of criticism for slow and insufficient response in the initial stages.

Source-AFP

MERS Outbreak Dealt a Severe Blow to South Korea - Asia's Fourth-Largest Economy

Though the number of new patients has declined since mid-June, officials are cautious as they monitor developments at another hospital in eastern Seoul.