5 dead, 14 more cases of disease confirmed in South Korea

dimeji akinloye

June 7, 2015 10:01 AM

Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is a viral respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus that was first identified in Saudi Arabia in 2012.

A woman, who is believed to be infected with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), lies on a stretcher in a quarantine area set up in a hospital in Seoul, South Korea.

With over 1,600 people already quarantined, 14 more cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (Mers) have been confirmed in South Korea, and a fifth person has died, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed.

The latest victim, a 75-year-old man, had been treated alongside other people suffering from the disease in a hospital in Seoul, South Korea capital.

The Mayor of Seoul, Park Won-soon, has however accused the central government of not sensitizing the citizens about the virus enough, the statement which has since been condemned by the Asian nations’ health Chief.

The Health Minister, Moon Hyung-pyo, dispelled the claim, noting that such comments may increase public concern.

According to WHO, Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is a viral respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus that was first identified in Saudi Arabia in 2012.

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that can cause diseases ranging from the common cold to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

Report says health officials in Seoul are working round the clock to curtail the spread of the virus.

dimeji akinloye