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| Mers virus: South Korea closes hundreds of schools over fears deadly virus may spread | Mers virus: South Korea closes hundreds of schools over fears deadly virus may spread |
| (7 months later) | |
| Hundreds of schools have been closed as South Korea moved to try and limit the spread of the potentially deadly Mers virus. | Hundreds of schools have been closed as South Korea moved to try and limit the spread of the potentially deadly Mers virus. |
| The health ministry confirmed five more cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (Mers), bringing the total number of cases in the country to 30, amid fears that the disease appears to be spreading. | The health ministry confirmed five more cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (Mers), bringing the total number of cases in the country to 30, amid fears that the disease appears to be spreading. |
| The Education Ministry said that 209 schools had been closed in four cities and provinces - many in the province of Gyonggi, near the capital Seoul. | The Education Ministry said that 209 schools had been closed in four cities and provinces - many in the province of Gyonggi, near the capital Seoul. |
| "We have decided that schools need stronger preventive measures than the general society,” said Education Minister Rep. Hwang Woo-yea, according to local media. | "We have decided that schools need stronger preventive measures than the general society,” said Education Minister Rep. Hwang Woo-yea, according to local media. |
| Four had been in the same hospital as the first patient, a 68-year-old man who had recently travelled to four countries in the Middle East, Reuters reported. | Four had been in the same hospital as the first patient, a 68-year-old man who had recently travelled to four countries in the Middle East, Reuters reported. |
| The other, a 60-year-old man, caught it from another person infected in the outbreak. | The other, a 60-year-old man, caught it from another person infected in the outbreak. |
| On Tuesday, South Korea reported the first two deaths from the outbreak of Mers, an illness that is thought to originate in bats, and is passed on to humans by camels. It can trigger respiratory infections that can lead to pneumonia and kidney failure. | On Tuesday, South Korea reported the first two deaths from the outbreak of Mers, an illness that is thought to originate in bats, and is passed on to humans by camels. It can trigger respiratory infections that can lead to pneumonia and kidney failure. |
| A 58-year-old woman who had contact with South Korea's first patient died of acute respiratory failure on Monday, the Health Ministry said, and a 71-year-old man with a history of kidney ailments also died. | A 58-year-old woman who had contact with South Korea's first patient died of acute respiratory failure on Monday, the Health Ministry said, and a 71-year-old man with a history of kidney ailments also died. |
| While he was being treated, the man was exposed to a number of medical staff, patients, and hospital visitors. | While he was being treated, the man was exposed to a number of medical staff, patients, and hospital visitors. |
| “Given the number of clinics and hospitals that cared for the index case, further cases can be expected,” said the WHO in a statement. | “Given the number of clinics and hospitals that cared for the index case, further cases can be expected,” said the WHO in a statement. |
| South Korea, which now has the third highest number of cases after Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, has so far isolated about 750 people for possible infection. | South Korea, which now has the third highest number of cases after Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, has so far isolated about 750 people for possible infection. |
| The new cases bring the total number globally to 1,166, based on World Health Organization (WHO) data, and there have been at least 436 related deaths. | The new cases bring the total number globally to 1,166, based on World Health Organization (WHO) data, and there have been at least 436 related deaths. |
| Mers is a relatively new disease, and was first identified in humans in Saudi Arabia in 2012. It is believed to be caused by a coronavirus from the same family as the one that triggered the deadly outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2003. | Mers is a relatively new disease, and was first identified in humans in Saudi Arabia in 2012. It is believed to be caused by a coronavirus from the same family as the one that triggered the deadly outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2003. |
| Yet Mers has a much higher death rate than SARS, and there is no cure or vaccine. | Yet Mers has a much higher death rate than SARS, and there is no cure or vaccine. |
| The WHO has not yet recommended trade or travel restrictions for South Korea, although South Korean border control authorities have put a ban on overseas travel for people isolated for possible infection, a health ministry official said. | The WHO has not yet recommended trade or travel restrictions for South Korea, although South Korean border control authorities have put a ban on overseas travel for people isolated for possible infection, a health ministry official said. |
| Additional reporting by Reuters | Additional reporting by Reuters |