As the death toll from the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) virus rises in South Korea, the World Health Organization has called for an emergency meeting.
South Korea has suffered the largest outbreak of the virus outside Saudi Arabia. A 72-year-old woman became the latest fatality after being infected by a MERS patient at a hospital, taking the death toll in the country to 11.
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome
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.
Advertisement
So far, 126 cases have been recorded in South Korea since May 20, 2015 when the first case surfaced.
Currently, 3,680 people are under quarantine. A total of 1,249 people have been released from quarantine.
WHO's 'emergency committee will meet' to discuss the crisis, spokesman Tarik Jasarevic told reporters in Geneva. "The number of new cases is decreasing, but we have to monitor the situation. The committee will determine whether the current outbreak constitutes a global health emergency crisis," he said.
![South Korea Hit by the Largest Outbreak of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome]( "South Korea Hit by the Largest Outbreak of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome")
South Korea is reeling under the worst case of MERS outbreak, which has already claimed nine lives, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 108.
MERS symptoms range from flu-like aches and pains to pneumonia and kidney failure. The virus is considered a deadlier cousin of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which appeared in 2003 and killed more than 800 around the world.
Globally, some 1,200 people have been infected with MERS and some 450 have died since the virus first emerged in 2012.
Source: AFP
WHO's 'emergency committee will meet' to discuss the crisis, spokesman Tarik Jasarevic told reporters in Geneva. "The number of new cases is decreasing, but we have to monitor the situation. The committee will determine whether the current outbreak constitutes a global health emergency crisis," he said.
South Korea Hit by the Largest Outbreak of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome
South Korea is reeling under the worst case of MERS outbreak, which has already claimed nine lives, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 108.
Advertisement
MERS symptoms range from flu-like aches and pains to pneumonia and kidney failure. The virus is considered a deadlier cousin of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which appeared in 2003 and killed more than 800 around the world.
Globally, some 1,200 people have been infected with MERS and some 450 have died since the virus first emerged in 2012.
Source: AFP
South Korean President Orders Proactive Measures to Minimize MERS Impact on Economy
Citizens in South Korea have refrained from outside activities for fear of being infected with the MERS virus. Tourism, too, has taken a hit in the country.
Advertisement
 209 Schools Suspend Classes for Preventing MERS Outbreak: South Korean AuthoritiesTwo deaths and 30 cases due to the MERS virus has lead to the suspension of classes in more than 200 schools in South Korea, revealed Minister Hwang Woo-yea. | Advertisement
|
Advertisement
Recommended Reading
Latest Respiratory Disease News
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there was a notable increase in infections caused by human metapneumovirus (HMPV), an emerging threat.
The new cell culture technology platform allows researchers to react to the next pandemic with much more speed and precision.
A new artificial intelligence-enabled chest imaging technology performs a deep characterization of the pulmonary vasculature to detect pulmonary (arterial) hypertension.
The global climate crisis is stimulating heat waves to become more frequent causing distress to people with asthma, say experts.
A new study reveals vitamin D3 supplements have encouraging effects for asthma patients. Vitamin D has a positive effect on immune response.