The South Korean MERS outbreak thread

[Rubberpigg]

Schools close as MERS virus spreads in S. Korea

More than 200 primary schools shut down Wednesday as South Korea struggled to contain an outbreak of the MERS virus that has infected 30, killed two and triggered widespread fear.

With the World Health Organisation predicting further infections and the government under fire for its initial response, President Park Geun-Hye convened an emergency meeting with top health officials and medical experts to map out a comprehensive quarantine strategy.

Five new cases were reported overnight, making this the largest outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outside Saudi Arabia, where the virus has killed more than 400 since 2012.

With new infections being reported on a daily basis, the outbreak has caused nationwide public alarm and seen fearful urban residents stocking up on face masks and hand sanitizers.

Dozens of public events have been cancelled, while more than 1,360 people who were exposed directly or indirectly to the virus have been placed under varying levels of quarantine.

Park has already scolded health officials for their "insufficient" initial response, during which one infected man managed to travel to China despite warnings from doctors.

MERS, which has no known cure or vaccine, is considered a deadlier but less infectious cousin of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which killed hundreds of people when it appeared in Asia in 2003.

Education Minister Hwang Woo-Yea said 209 primary schools had temporarily shut down, as he urged regional education heads to ensure student safety.

"Infection among students should be prevented at any cost ... we need far stronger measures at schools than anywhere else," Hwang said.

The two deaths reported so far were of a 58-year-old woman and a 71-year-old man.

The first, or "index" case -- a 68-year-old man diagnosed after returning from a trip to Saudi Arabia -- was reported on May 20.

"Given the number of clinics and hospitals that cared for the index case, further cases can be expected," the WHO said in a statement from Geneva on Tuesday.

The health body said it was closely monitoring the outbreak of what it described as an "emerging disease that remains poorly understood."

MERS has now infected 1,161 people globally, with 436 deaths.
More than 20 countries have been affected, with most cases in Saudi Arabia.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-3108617/Schools-close-MERS-virus-spreads-S-Korea.html

 

[LazyLion]

South Korea reports jump in MERS infections, sixth patient dies

South Korea reported a jump in cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) on Monday while an 80-year-old man became the sixth fatality from the outbreak in the country and other Asian nations began taking preventive measures against the disease.

South Korean authorities closed nearly 2,000 schools and said fewer than 10 people who had broken quarantine rules were located and taken back home. In a couple of cases, they were located through cellphone tracking.

Malaysia advised its nationals to avoid South Korea and Singapore postponed or cancelled all school trips to the country, although the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) said she believed Seoul would be able to control the further spread of the virus by taking appropriate measures.

The Health Ministry announced 23 new infections, bringing the total to 87. South Korea now has the second highest number of infections in the world after Saudi Arabia, according to data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

The latest MERS patient to die in South Korea was hospitalised for pneumonia when he was infected, officials in the city of Daejeon said. He was confirmed to have contracted the virus from another patient at a hospital.

Underlining concern about the spread of the disease, South Korean authorities said they would track the cellphones of about 2,500 people under quarantine who may have been in contact with patients. Some of those under quarantine are in healthcare facilities although most are at home.

Jeong Eun-kyeong, a South Korean disease control center official, said local health officials and police were keeping tabs on those quarantined.

"We are actively tracing their locations, cooperating with police or using other methods. We did cellphone tracking in a couple of cases. For contacts we must find, we will request location tracking and receive data," Jeong told reporters.

Local health officials have found some people, fewer than 10, who had broken quarantine and taken them back home, Jeong said, adding that those who break the rules can be fined.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/06/08/us-health-mers-southkorea-idUSKBN0ON14T20150608

 

[LazyLion]

Two people in Japan now under observation for MERS.

 

[Jet-Fighter7700]

Strange virus that just hit the grid,
Wonder when it heads our way....