South Korea Reports Four New Cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome

A total of 52 healthcare facilities have been exposed to the deadly virus. More than 3,800 people are under quarantine at home and healthcare facilities.

Four new cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) reported in South Korea on June 12, bringing to 126 the total number of people diagnosed with the deadly virus.

The number of fatalities in the largest outbreak of the virus outside Saudi Arabia remained at 10 as of June 12, the Health Ministry said.

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) - Causes Symptoms Treatment Prevention
MERS, a newly discovered respiratory disease, was recently reported in the Arabian region. MERS is caused by a virus similar to that causing common cold and other respiratory illnesses.

A Seoul hospital has been closed temporarily over fears the facility might be another source of mass infection, the first such closure in the capital.

Mediheal Hospital will remain shut until June 23, a Seoul City spokesman.

A total of 52 health care facilities including 18 in Seoul and 16 in the surrounding Gyeonggi Province have been exposed to the virus.

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Citizens in South Korea have refrained from outside activities for fear of being infected with the MERS virus. Tourism, too, has taken a hit in the country.

Pyeongtaek St. Mary’s hospital, where the first wave of 37 patients were diagnosed, will also remain closed until Friday, based on the incubation period for the disease.

But Samsung Medical Center, where 58 out of the 126 confirmed cases contracted the disease - the largest single outbreak - remains open after being sanitized.

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About 70% of the total institutions closed are in the Gyeonggi province where most MERS-infected cases have been allegedly found.

More than 3,800 people who came into close contact with those infected are under quarantine, either at their homes or at healthcare facilities.

The first infected patient was diagnosed on May 20 after a trip to Saudi Arabia.

MERS Outbreak: South Korea Reports 14 New Cases on June 11; Takes Total to 122
The total number of MERS cases has increased to 122 in South Korea, while the number of fatalities remained at nine with no new deaths in the last 24 hours.

The 68-year-old man visited four medical facilities, infecting other patients and medics, before he was finally diagnosed, sparking criticism that authorities had bungled the initial response.

Source-AFP