South Korea Reports 2 MERS Deaths Among 25 Total Cases, Isolates Around 700 Possibly Exposed People

Agence France-Presse: S. Korea reports first MERS deaths as alarm grows
“South Korea on Tuesday reported its first deaths from an outbreak of the MERS virus that has infected 25 people, caused widespread alarm, and triggered a closer watch by Asian neighbors on Korean arrivals…” (Jung, 6/2).

Al Jazeera America: South Korea confirms two deaths from MERS virus
“…About 750 people in South Korea were isolated at their homes or in state-run facilities after having contact with patients infected with the virus, officials said Tuesday…” (6/2).

CNN: 2 MERS patients die in South Korea
“…The victims included a 58-year-old woman and a 71-year-old man who both had contact with the country’s first MERS patient, South Korea’s Ministry of Health and Welfare said…” (Fantz et al., 6/1).

Reuters: South Korea reports first two deaths from MERS respiratory illness
“…The ministry reported new confirmed cases on Tuesday, bringing the total to 25. South Korea 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…” (Park/Kim, 6/1).

VOA News: Asia MERS Outbreak Alarms Authorities
“…South Korean authorities say this week will be critical to see if they have contained the outbreak by preventing third-level exposure, the spread of the disease to a person who did not have direct contact with the first infected patient…” (Padden, 6/1).

Washington Post: MERS fears in South Korea: Nearly 700 isolated as health officials seek to block spread
“…South Korea has been on high alert since May 20 when a 68-year-old man who had been traveling in Bahrain tested positive for the virus. Since then, the virus has been detected in a number of patients and visitors to the hospital where he was treated — triggering global concern about whether the virus had mutated or genetic or environmental factors may have been at play…” (Cha, 6/1).

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