The MERS outbreak in South Korea has infected more than 160 people and taken the lives of 19, according to The Washington Times.
Amidst the biggest outbreak of the MERS virus outside the Arabian peninsula, the World Health Organization has said the recent spread of the virus is a “wake up call,” but is not a global emergency, according to the news outlet CBC.
“This outbreak is a wake-up call,” stated members of WHO’s emergency committee.
“In a highly mobile world, all countries should always be prepared for the unanticipated possibility of outbreaks of this, and other serious infectious diseases.”
The outbreak has reportedly been traced to a 68-year-old South Korean man who returned from a business trip to the Middle East in early May. Although the numbers of new cases have been declining, WHO reportedly stated that it expected several patients in the coming weeks.
The organization reportedly added that there was no current evidence of the disease spreading easily within communities, and there was no need for any international travel or trade restrictions.
More than 6,500 people are reportedly in quarantine in South Korea, either at home or in health facilities. The most recent patient to die in South Korea was reportedly a 54-year-old woman who had bronchiectasis and high blood pressure.
Almost all of the fatalities were reportedly people who had existing ailments or were elderly.
19 people diagnosed with the MERS virus had reportedly recovered and been discharged from the hospital. The South Korean government has been trying their best to shut down any further spread of the virus.
“They are really pulling out all the stops now and trying to shut this down. It’s very impressive,” stated WHO’s assistant director general, Keiji Fukuda, who led a WHO team of experts to visit South Korea last week.
