Press Release

Update on latest MERS situation in Korea

8 June 2015

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (June 8) closely monitoring 23 additional cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) reported by Korea.

According to the health authority of Korea, they are:

• Fifteen patients and two health-care workers of the emergency department of Samsung Medical Center;
• Four in-patients of Dae-Chung Hospital and two in-patients of Konyang University Hospital. They had been admitted to the same ward with the same confirmed patient from May 25 to 28 and from May 28 to 30 respectively.

To date, 86 MERS cases have been reported by Korea. In addition, another case was exported from Korea to Mainland China.

"We again urge the public to pay special attention to safety during travel, taking due consideration of health risks of the places of visit," a spokesman for the CHP said.

"In view of the latest situation in Korea, travellers should avoid unnecessary visits to health-care facilities (HCFs) in Korea. In addition, travellers to the Middle East should avoid going to farms, barns or markets with camels, and avoid contact with sick persons and animals, especially camels, birds or poultry. They should also avoid unnecessary visits to HCFs," the spokesman advised.

The CHP will maintain close communication with the World Health Organization and the health authority of Korea. Members of the public and the health-care sector should heighten vigilance and stay alert to the latest situation.