The South Korean Department of Health and Human Services has reported (computer translated) an additional nine cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), bringing the total cases in this cluster to 50. The death toll remains at 4.
At least one hospital in Seoul has been temporarily shut down in an effort to stop the spread of MERS in the country.
Officials at Osan Air Base, a USAF installation in South Korea, report a Republic of Korea Air Force chief master sergeant stationed there tested positive for Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus at an off-base hospital June 3, 2015.
Approximately 100 coworkers and visitors of the ROKAF service member during his hospital stay were also asked to remain at home to ensure the virus doesn’t spread. There are no other diagnosed cases of MERS-CoV on base.
Finally, as speculation grows about the Korean MERS strain having mutated, Mike Coston at Avian Flu Diary published a detailed post suggesting the Korean virus has not mutated in any meaningful way.
