S.Korea MERS Update: 162 Infected, 20 Dead + 6,500 in Quarantine

That's the 6th death just being reported now.

South Korea confirms sixth MERS death, reports 23 new cases -

www.themalaymailonline.com... ter

SEOUL, June 8 — South Korea recorded its sixth death and biggest single day jump in Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) infections today, with 23 new cases in the largest outbreak of the potentially deadly virus outside Saudi Arabia.

From just four cases two weeks ago, the total number of infections now stands at 87, including six people who have died.

The latest fatality was a man in his 80s who had been diagnosed in Daejeon, 140 kilometres south of Seoul, and died in hospital this morning, local officials said.

The outbreak has triggered widespread public concern in South Korea, with 2,300 people placed under quarantine orders and nearly 1,900 schools — mostly in Seoul and surrounding Gyeonggi province — closed down.

I will update thread if any further news breaks today.

Latest update

S. Korea reports seventh MERS death, 8 new cases

english.yonhapnews.co.kr...

SEJONG, June 9 (Yonhap) -- South Korea confirmed another death from Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and reported eight new cases on Tuesday, raising the number of infections to 95.

This is from the morning news in South Korea. I have a feeling there will be further updates during the day.

Time for the next update in the Asian MERS outbreak.

South Korea reports 13 new MERS cases, two more deaths

www.reuters.com...

South Korea's health ministry on Wednesday said two more people have died in its Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak and reported 13 new cases, bringing the total to 108.

The two deaths bring the number of fatalities to nine. All of those who died had been suffering serious ailments before they tested positive for the MERS virus, the ministry said.

The 13 new cases of infections were all traced to hospitals, according to the ministry.

As we can see this now brings the totals of those infected to 108 and the number of deaths to 9.

The good news is that these deaths ALL had background ailments/issues (this fits into the normal fatality pattern of MERS) and also we haven't seen any out side of hospital infections (this follows the MERS usual route of infection).

Both these factors are suggesting that there has not been any significant viral mutation, which is a good thing. My best guess at the moment would be if we see similar numbers over the next 3-4 days then it would look promising for them having contained the outbreak.

However, this is a new virus in a new geographic/genetic area so nothing can be predicted with a huge amount of certainty.

We shall see.

14 more infected today.

South Korea reports 14 new MERS cases

www.channelnewsasia.com...

SEOUL: South Korea's health ministry on Thursday reported 14 new cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak, bringing the total to 122.

On Wednesday, the ministry reported two deaths from the MERS virus, bringing the number of fatalities to nine. All of those who died had been suffering serious ailments before they tested positive for the MERS virus, the ministry said.

The outbreak, the largest outside Saudi Arabia, has fuelled public anxiety and hit spending, with thousands in quarantine and the number of schools closing rising to 2,474, including 22 universities.

A couple of other articles that are available at time of update:

Tracing the path of South Korea's MERS 'patient zero'

news.yahoo.com...

Thai Woman Quarantined for MERS Testing

www.bangkokpost.com...

It is beginning to look increasingly like all the infections are restricted to hospital based transmission. Sounds weird, but this is good news for containing spread of outbreak as it is easier to locate and quarantine all necessary people. I reckon if next 2 days show a gradual decrease in infection numbers then we will be approaching end of current outbreak.

Time will tell.

South Korea reports four new cases of MERS, total 126

www.reuters.com...

South Korea's Health Ministry reported on Friday four new cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) bringing the total to 126, the world's largest outbreak outside Saudi Arabia.

Ten people who tested positive for the MERS virus have died although all had serious pre-existing ailments.

So reduced new numbers would indicate that they have it in control. A few more new cases over the next 2 days and the end should be in site for out break to be honest.

Lets see.

South Korea reports 12 new MERS cases, total now 138; one more death

uk.reuters.com... ium=twitter

South Korea's health ministry on Saturday reported 12 new cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), bringing the total to 138, and said a 14th person has died in the outbreak.

The 12 new cases, including an ambulance driver who transported a previous patient, follow just four more reported on the previous day, which had raised hopes that the outbreak might be slowing, although officials and experts predicted there would be more new cases.

Ok so here we have a spike, nothing to worry about at the moment as is the new deaths. As long as the numbers and more importantly the route of infection doesn't throw up any major peculiarities then the cluster should keep shrinking.

South Korea reports seven new cases of MERS, brings total to 145

www.reuters.com...

South Korea's Health Ministry reported on Sunday seven new cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), taking the total to 145 in an outbreak that the World Health Organization called "large and complex."

All of the cases are believed to be linked to hospital settings and traced to a businessman who had returned from a trip to the Middle East. There have been 14 deaths, all elderly patients or people who had been suffering serious ailments.

This increase is within the expected numbers so doesn't increase worry of spread. I would expect the numbers to start dropping for new infections over the next few days but potentially an increase in the number of deaths could be seen . If this holds true then it woukd be a very good indication that this outbreak is approaching the end.

We will see soon.

S. Korea reports additional death from MERS, 8 new cases

english.yonhapnews.co.kr...

SEJONG, June 17 (Yonhap) -- South Korea reported an additional death from Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) on Wednesday, with eight new cases that brought the total number of people diagnosed with the disease here to 162.

The latest fatality put the death toll at 20, according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

The ministry said nearly 90 percent of those who died from MERS had existing health conditions, which were apparently worsened by the infection.

Still fitting with the hospital only infection pattern. From this point on I would expect to see a decrease in numbers both in infection and fatalities. This should continue for the next 3-4 days then that "should" be it for this outbreak.

Of course time will tell but to be honest even if we did see infection outwith the usual parameters it would most likely be nipped in the bud extremely quickly given the alert level of the public and the government.

I haven't updated thread for a couple of days (lol, don't think anyone reads it but it keeps me happy) so time to bring it up to date.

First off, the S.Korea spread has slowed as predicted. The current figures are as follows:

165 Infected and 25 Dead.

english.yonhapnews.co.kr...

SEJONG, June 20 (Yonhap) -- South Korea reported one more death from Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) Saturday, bringing the country's death toll to 25.

A 63-year-old man -- who has had a history of heart disease and diabetes -- died in a hospital in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, where he had been quarantined after being infected with the MERS virus, the Ministry of Health and Welfare said adding that his death reduced the number of people diagnosed with the potentially deadly disease to 165.

There is currently just over 5000 people under quarantine at the moment which has decreased fro, a maximum of 7000. The isolation period is 14 days so if we don't see any more infections then that number will drop quickly over the next week.

To other news:

Thailand says 175 exposed to MERS patient; South Korea reports no new case

The first case has been recorded in Thailand. Index patient traveled from Oman for medical care.

A total of 175 people were exposed to Thailand's only case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and the patient's condition has improved, the health ministry said on Saturday.

In a statement, the ministry said it had been in touch with all 175 and had instructed them to stay away from public spaces and for medical personnel to monitor their health.

Given that this case was picked up relatively quickly and the high quality of Thai health care I don't believe we will see any thing approaching the same kind of level of out break in this case, if any.

On a happier note, North Korea has found a cure for not just MERS but a range of other diseases. I could post a link but seeing as its utter bull crap I'm not going to.

Lets see how this develops over the next few days.

I have not been updating thread as much as other things have been going on IRL. So here is where we are :

www.voanews.com...

South Korea reported one new case of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, or MERS, Saturday, bringing the country's total number of cases to 182, the largest number of cases outside Saudi Arabia.

The Health Ministry said no new fatalities have been reported, leaving the death toll from the virus at 31.

Infected 182 Deaths 31.

What is worrying is the news of the 70 year old lady that has died just 2 days after being diagnosed. She appears to have caught infection from one hospital (listed in out break) and then visited a new hospital in eastern Seoul. We effectively have a new index patient at a new site. Due to the lateness of diagnosis and the heavy viral load at this point in infection it will be a miracle if we don't now have a new infection vector.

Time will tell.

If this is effecting SK I wonder what their Northern Neighbors is doing? See how easily it is to catch a bio weapon with open borders?