2015 MERS outbreak in South Korea

Disease	Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)
Virus strain	MERS-CoV
Source
Location	South Korea
First outbreak	Middle East
First reported
Index case	May 20, 2015
Dates
Date	May 20, 2015 – December 23, 2015

The 2015 MERS outbreak in South Korea was a significant public health event involving the spread of the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in South Korea. The outbreak began in May 2015 and was the largest outbreak of MERS outside the Middle East.

Background

Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is a viral respiratory illness caused by the MERS-CoV, a novel coronavirus first identified in Saudi Arabia in 2012. The virus is zoonotic, meaning it is transmitted between animals and humans, with dromedary camels being a major reservoir host. Human-to-human transmission occurs primarily in healthcare settings.

Timeline of the Outbreak

Initial Cases

The first case of MERS in South Korea was confirmed on May 20, 2015. The index patient was a 68-year-old man who had traveled to the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain. Upon returning to South Korea, he developed symptoms and sought medical care at several healthcare facilities, inadvertently spreading the virus.

Spread and Containment

The outbreak quickly spread within healthcare facilities due to inadequate infection control measures. By June 2015, the number of confirmed cases had risen sharply, prompting the South Korean government to implement strict quarantine measures and close affected hospitals.

The outbreak was largely contained by July 2015, with the last confirmed case reported on July 4. However, the outbreak was officially declared over on December 23, 2015, after a 28-day period with no new cases.

Impact

The outbreak resulted in 186 confirmed cases and 38 deaths, with a case fatality rate of approximately 20%. The majority of cases were linked to healthcare settings, highlighting the importance of infection control practices.

The outbreak had significant social and economic impacts, including widespread public fear, a decline in tourism, and disruptions to the healthcare system. The South Korean government faced criticism for its handling of the outbreak, particularly regarding transparency and communication.

Response and Lessons Learned

The South Korean government took several measures to control the outbreak, including:

• Implementing quarantine and isolation protocols for suspected and confirmed cases.
• Enhancing infection control measures in healthcare facilities.
• Conducting extensive contact tracing and monitoring.
• Improving public communication and transparency.

The outbreak underscored the need for robust public health infrastructure and preparedness to manage emerging infectious diseases. It also highlighted the importance of international collaboration in addressing global health threats.

Also see

• Middle East respiratory syndrome
• Coronavirus
• 2012 Middle East respiratory syndrome outbreak
• Infection control
• Public health