New MERS infection dashes South Korean hopes

By Alex Jensen

SEOUL

Just when South Korea was mulling over when it could declare an end to its MERS outbreak, a new infection was announced for the first time in five days by the health ministry Thursday.

A nurse from the particularly hard-hit Samsung Medical Center became the country’s 183rd case of the flu-like illness that has claimed 33 lives locally.

The prestigious Seoul facility, which has been caring for Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee throughout the outbreak, partially closed last month due to a surge in infections connected to the hospital.

Lee, 73, has been protected while recovering from a heart attack that he suffered last year, but dozens of people who entered Samsung Medical Center’s doors from late May have not been so fortunate.

The government also confirmed Thursday that another Samsung nurse will undergo further checks after initially testing positive for MERS.

Officials from the hospital have already apologized for its link to nearly half of South Korea’s cases, having been the country’s first facility to recognize the virus.

Patient zero visited the Middle East before their diagnosis was announced May 20. Most of the world’s infections have occurred in Saudi Arabia, where the illness’ fatality rate has exceeded 40 percent since it was discovered in people three years ago.

The World Health Organization has resisted advising against travel to South Korea though, on the basis that the outbreak is believed to have been limited to healthcare settings.

Given the MERS incubation period of up to two weeks, and with thousands still subject to quarantine measures, an official end to the virus’ grip on South Korea within this month is looking increasingly optimistic.