150 Infections and 16 Deaths Due to MERS: South Korean Health Authorities

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is a respiratory illness caused by a new type of corona-virus similar to the SARS virus that killed over 770 people worldwide following a 2003-outbreak. There is no known vaccine or treatment for MERS. The first case of MERS was reported in Saudi Arabia in 2012. South Korean health authorities have confirmed five new MERS cases, taking the total to 150.

The health ministry said, "With the death of one more patient, the toll has risen to 16. 17 people who are infected are still in a serious conditions. At least 14 patients have recovered completely and four more people have been discharged from hospitals."

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.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), till date there have been over 1,000 cases of MERS globally and more than 400 people have died. The WHO has called an emergency meeting on Tuesday, June 16, 2015, to discuss the outbreak.

Source-IANS

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