South Korea reports 10 confirmed MERS cases; KCVA: Travelers unlikely to be affected, please stay calm

▲ The total number of confirmed MERS cases in South Korea has reached 10. The Korea Tourism Organization believes there is no need for ordinary travelers to panic. (Photo / File photo, photographed by reporter Chen Tzu-yin)

Reported by Chen Tzu-yin / Taipei

On the afternoon of the 29th, another confirmed case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) was added in South Korea, bringing the total since the outbreak to 10 cases. Due to the close travel connections between Taiwan and South Korea, some Taiwanese have expressed concern. The Korea Tourism Organization noted that all confirmed cases were infected through close contact with the first patient, and that ordinary travelers are not at risk, urging people to feel safe traveling to South Korea.

Regarding concerns about travel due to the MERS cases, the Korea Tourism Organization further explained that South Korea’s Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters has intensified public awareness efforts related to the outbreak. It has also lowered the fever threshold for suspected cases from 38°C to 37.5°C, designated 17 specialized hospitals nationwide, strengthened respiratory surveillance systems at 40 hospitals across the country, set up dedicated quarantine channels and conducted full-body temperature checks on flights arriving from the Middle East.

The Korea Tourism Organization stated that the current atmosphere in South Korea remains calm. Since subsequent confirmed cases have all resulted from contact with the first patient, it believes that ordinary travelers face no infection risk. As long as they follow the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) — practicing basic personal hygiene such as frequent hand washing and wearing masks, and avoiding consumption of raw camel milk, camel urine, or improperly cooked meat — it is still safe to travel to South Korea.