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Overcome MERS in South Korea?
After the MERS virus was introduced to South Korea in May, numerous people became infected with the dangerous pathogen in the following weeks. However, since the third week of July, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), no further new infections were registered, which is why South Korean Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn has now declared the outbreak to be over. However, the danger of a renewed introduction of the pathogens is by no means averted, because the virus continues to circulate in the Arabian Peninsula.
In several countries, such as China, Malaysia or the Philippines, according to the WHO, already introduced MERS infections have occurred. However, South Korea had to fight with particularly dramatic consequences. Many other people got infected and South Korea recorded the largest outbreak of MERS outside the Arabian Peninsula with nearly 200 infections. Since July 18, however, no new cases have been registered with the WHO. The South Korean Prime Minister explained that now for weeks no new case has become known and no suspected cases were quarantined in the clinics. For the population could therefore be given the all-clear. The MERS virus is no longer circulating in South Korea.
The MERS outbreak in South Korea is overcome, according to the Prime Minister. (Picture: jarun011 / fotolia.com) 36 MERS deaths in South Korea
As part of the MERS outbreak in South Korea, a total of 186 people have been infected with MERS, and 36 have died as a result of the infection, according to the WHO. The average age of those affected was 55 years and the majority were men (59 percent). Among the infected were 26 health care professionals. All infections could be attributed to a single transmission chain, according to the WHO communication. Origin was a traveler who had imported the virus from Saudi Arabia. The WHO therefore called on all healthcare workers worldwide to receive increased attention for the possibility of MERS infection among travelers or migrant workers returning from the Arabian Peninsula.
MERS first occurred in Saudi Arabia
The Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) was first detected in September 2012 in Saudi Arabia, where most infections have since been detected. Camels are believed to be the main reservoir for the MERS virus. However, the exact role they play in transmission has not been conclusively clarified. In case of contact with the infected persons an infection is also possible through a human-to-human transmission. Early signs of MERS infection are fever, cough and respiratory distress. Often the sufferers develop pneumonia, but this is not always the case. According to the WHO, rare gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea, are less common. Severe disease progression is threatened by respiratory failure and approximately 36 percent of reported patients do not survive MERS infection, according to the WHO statement. (Fp)