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In a recent move, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the South Korean public health ministry presented the results of their joint assessment on MERS outbreak after the first case was identified in May.
Both have called for a series of recommendations, such as strengthening of measures to control the current outbreak, enhanced precautions in hospitals to prevent transmission, increased communication with the public and better preparation to contain future outbreaks.
In another development, the first MERS case has been detected in Thailand, according to local media reports. While Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha denied any such thing, Public Health Minister Rajata Rajatanavin said the authorities were awaiting lab results.
Seoul hospital under scanner
According to media reports, one of South Korea’s best hospitals, Samsung Medical Center in Seoul, has come under scrutiny for escalation of MERS cases in the country.
The situation is grim as hundreds of patients of this particular hospital are under quarantine. This is because their infections have either been confirmed or they are under observation currently. Medical and other hospital workers are also under quarantine. Other hospitals in Korea are refusing to accept patients from Samsung for fear of infection. For now, the premier hospital has stopped admitting new patients.
WHO’s stand
According to a WHO press release, as of June 15, 2015, Korea has reported 150 laboratory-confirmed cases and 15 deaths from MERS.
The number of new cases occurring daily appears to be declining. This suggests that containment measures are having a positive effect in reducing new infections. But it is too early to measure their full impact on transmissions, as these measures have been recently intensified.
Earlier, researchers were concerned whether the coronavirus (MERS-CoV) changed and whether the transmission pattern in Korea was different from past outbreaks which occurred in West Asia.
Korean scientists have completed full genome sequencing of coronaviruses from the current MERS outbreak and the findings were analysed by virologists. Preliminary analysis suggests that the MERS CoV viruses isolated in Korea are similar to those isolated in West Asia. The joint mission also found the transmission pattern to be similar in both the regions.
Major challenge
MERS CoV is difficult to diagnose, especially in the early stage of an outbreak when the awareness level is relatively low. Early symptoms of MERS resemble other influenza-like illnesses, thus making it difficult to recognise it.
In the early stage of the disease when the upper respiratory track is infected, the virus may be more difficult to detect. The laboratory diagnosis is more robust with samples taken in the lower respiratory track, usually in the later stage when the patient is in hospital. Also, samples taken from the upper respiratory system can sometimes provide negative test results while lower respiratory samples may be positive. However, Korea follows a policy of retesting, following initial negative results.
Other problems
Some of the conditions and traditions prevalent in Korea also play a vital role in the rapid spread of MERS outbreak, according to WHO. The accessibility and affordability of healthcare in Korea encourage “doctor shopping”. Patients also frequently consult specialists in several facilities, before deciding on a choice.
In Korea family members and friends often visit loved ones when they are in the emergency room of a hospital. This increases the risk of exposure.
At present, Korean health officials are actively monitoring a large number of close and casual contacts and it is possible, that more cases will be reported before the outbreak is finally over. If cases increase at a faster pace, Korea has sufficient capacity to cope up with the situation.
WHO is encouraging Korean officials to reopen schools that were closed due to fears of MERS. The world health association will continue to support Korea in its mission to bring the outbreak to an end.