HEALTH-MERS/SOUTH KOREA-NEWSER South Korea reports 13 new MERS cases, two more deaths

Record ID: 150758

  • Title: HEALTH-MERS/SOUTH KOREA-NEWSER South Korea reports 13 new MERS cases, two more deaths
  • Date: 10th June 2015
  • Summary: ADDRESS OF SOUTH KOREAN GOVERNMENT-RUN WEBSITE OF MIDDLE EAST RESPIRATORY SYNDROME (MERS) MAIN PAGE OF MERS WEBSITE SCREEN READING (in Korean): "CURRENT SITUATION OF MERS" VARIOUS OF MERS WEBSITE SHOWING NAME OF HOSPITALS WHERE INFECTION TOOK PLACE MORE OF MERS WEBSITE WOMAN TYPING
  • Embargoed: 25th June 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA56T2F7I65Q8Z6D17H31WJ6XYJ
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: South Korea's health ministry on Wednesday (June 10) said two more people have died in its Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak and reported 13 new cases, taking the total to 108.
    "As of now, there are total of 108 MERS cases. 13 more cases were confirmed yesterday and as of now, a total of nine people have died. One patient was discharged from hospital today, so a total of 4 patients now have left. 11 patients are in an unstable condition," Jeong Eun-kyung, a South Korean disease control center official, said at a regular news briefing.
    The latest two deaths, both cancer patients, bring the number of fatalities to nine. All of those who died had been suffering serious ailments before they tested positive for MERS virus, the Health Ministry said.
    The outbreak has fuelled public anxiety, with thousands in quarantine and the number of schools closing rising to 2,474, including 22 universities. Many people on the streets are wearing face masks, while attendance at movie theatres and baseball games has dwindled.
    "Please do not be excessively worried or hold misunderstanding, and try to go on with your daily lives," Deputy Prime Minister Choi Kyung-hwan told a televised news briefing, urging consumers to continue spending money.
    South Korea's infections have all been traced to a man who developed MERS after returning from a trip to the Middle East in early May and who came into contact with other patients at a hospital before being diagnosed.
    The government confirmed it opened a website on Wednesday containing information about the MERS outbreak.
    "The MERS website is opened today from 9 A.M. (0000GMT). You can see the names of hospital where infections took place and the current number of MERS cases. It also informs precautions in the case of travellers, medical workers and people who are under self-quarantine," South Korean assistant minister of health care policy, Kwon Deok-cheol said.
    The World Health Organisation (WHO), which began work on Tuesday (June 9) on a joint mission with South Korea to analyse the virus and review the country's response, has yet to recommend any curbs on travel or trade with South Korea.
    South Korea's new cases bring the total number of MERS cases globally to 1,257 based on WHO data, with at least 448 related deaths. The country has the second highest number of cases after Saudi Arabia, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.
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