South Korean officials say MERS outbreak may have peaked

People wear masks as a precaution against the MERS virus in Seoul. Pic: AP.

By Asian Correspondent Staff Jun 09, 2015

South Korea believes the country’s MERS virus outbreak may have peaked.

Experts said Tuesday that the next several days would be critical to determining whether the government’s belated efforts have successfully stymied the disease.

Officials confirmed Tuesday that a seventh person has died from the MERS virus.

The total number of cases also continued to grow with eight more infections confirmed Tuesday, bringing the total to 95. It is the largest MERS outbreak to occur outside Saudi Arabia, where the virus originated.

Meanwhile, more than 2,000 schools remained closed Tuesday with more than 2,500 people quarantined.

Officials say all new cases have taken place at hospitals, with transmission occurring only between patients, medical staff and close family members.

The U.N. health agency has reported that there’s no evidence yet in South Korea of “sustained transmission in the community.” However, fears are mounting among the public in South Korea that authorities are not able to contain the outbreak.

Elementary school students wear masks as a precaution against the MERS virus as they arrive at Midong Elementary School in Seoul, South Korea, Monday. Pic: AP.

Reuters reported Monday that Singapore had cancelled or postponed all school trips to South Korea.

While the virus has no vaccine, health experts say it spreads through close contact with infected people and not through the air.

The first fatality from the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) was recorded in Saudi Arabia in June 2012. Hundreds of people have died of the disease there since, with more cases in neighbouring countries.

MERS belongs to the family of coronaviruses that includes the common cold and SARS, and can cause fever, breathing problems, pneumonia and kidney failure. There is no cure or vaccine for the illness to date.

The virus has a death rate of 27%, according to the World Health Organization.