South Korean president Park delays US visit as Mers outbreak kills two more patients
But WHO recommends reopening of South Korean schools shut by virus fears
PUBLISHED : Wednesday, 10 June, 2015, 11:02am
UPDATED : Wednesday, 10 June, 2015, 5:43pm
Reuters in Seoul
South Korean President Park Geun-hye presides over an emergency government meeting in Sejong, central South Korea. Photo: EPA
South Korean President Park Geun-hye will delay her visit to the United States to oversee the country’s fight against Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (Mers), the Yonhap news agency said today, citing her office.
Park was to leave for the United States, her country's closest ally, on Sunday and hold a summit meeting with US President Barack Obama yesterday.
Her office said the coming week would be a "watershed" for the country’s response to the disease.
The trip delay comes as South Korea’s health ministry said two more people, both cancer patients, have died in its Mers outbreak, bringing the number of fatalities to nine.
South Korea also reported 13 new cases of the virus, a deadlier but less contagious cousin of Severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars), taking the total number of infections to 108. There is no cure or vaccine.
All of those who died had been suffering serious ailments before they tested positive for the Mers virus, the ministry said.
The 13 new cases were all linked to hospitals, it said.
Despite concerns, South Korea’s health ministry said today that a joint mission with the World Health Organisation that is reviewing the country’s response to Mers has urged the government to reopen nearly 2,500 schools shut during the outbreak.
"Strong consideration should be given to re-opening schools, as schools have not been linked to transmission of (the Mers virus) in the Republic of Korea or elsewhere," the mission said.
South Korea’s infections have all been traced to a man who developed Mers after returning from a trip to the Middle East in early May, and who came into contact with other patients at a hospital before being diagnosed.
The outbreak has caused public alarm with more than 2,200 schools closing or cancelling classes. Around the region some countries and territories – including Hong Kong – have issued advisories against travel to South Korea or stepped up screening of inbound passengers.
The World Health Organisation, which began work yesterday on a joint mission with South Korea to analyse the virus and review the country’s response, has yet to recommend any curbs on travel or trade with South Korea.
"Please do not be excessively worried or hold misunderstanding, and try to go on with your daily lives," South Korean Deputy Prime Minister Choi Kyung-hwan told a televised news briefing, urging consumers to continue spending money.
Choi, also the finance minister, announced a 400 billion won (HK$2.8 billion) financial package for business and regions affected by Mers, without giving specifics.
South Korea’s new cases bring the total number of Mers cases globally to 1,257 based on WHO data, with at least 448 related deaths. The country has the second-highest number of cases after Saudi Arabia, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.
