South Korea Reports New MERS Case After Four Days of No New Case

South Korea is currently battling an outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) that started in mid-May. On Thursday, July 2, 2015, South Korean health authorities have reported a new case of the potentially deadly MERS virus, after four days in which no cases were spotted.

It brought to 183 the total number of people diagnosed with MERS in this largest outbreak outside Saudi Arabia.

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.

The health ministry said, "The latest case involved a nurse from Seoul’s Samsung Medical Center. The hospital, which has so far accounted for almost half of all confirmed cases, declared a 10-day suspension of most health services last month to stem the spread of the virus. As the hospital continued to report new cases, the shutdown was extended indefinitely."

Of the 183 confirmed MERS cases, 33 have died, 102 have been cured and released from hospital and 48 are still being treated, with 12 of them listed as being in critical condition.

Source-AFP

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