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11/02/2024 01:30:34 pm

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No New MERS Cases In South Korea And Thailand; Outbreak Soon To Be Under Control?

Combination picture shows people wearing masks between June 9 and June 16, 2015

(Photo : REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji) Combination picture shows people wearing masks between June 9 and June 16, 2015 to prevent contracting Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in Seoul, South Korea. Pictures taken between June 9 and June 16, 2015.

There are no new reported cases of MERS in South Korea for 16 days, according to South Korean officials Saturday, raising the country's hopes that the outbreak is finally coming to an end.

The report comes amid the 25th death from the virus since the outbreak began in May.

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Across the region, Thailand officials said there are also no new reported cases of MERS in the country since the first case of the deadly disease began Thursday. A hundred and seventy five people have been exposed since the Thailand outbreak started.

The country's health ministry said they believe the 175 people were exposed due to the index case. The ministry has since required people to stay out of public areas and monitor their health for symptoms, according to NPR.

Chances of the outbreak such as the one in SK were distant, according to Thai Health Minister Rajata Rajatanavin, as quoted by Reuters

"Health authorities were able to isolate the patient very quickly before he could travel any further and infect others. The patient spent most of his time in hospitals," said Rajata.

In Bangkok's main airport, additional thermoscan machines have already been installed for detection of passengers with fevers. Counters offering alcoholic gel disinfectant as well as free surgical masks have also been set up, according to Sky News.

Recently, the South Korean health ministry has reported that confirmed cases remain at 166, according to the Yonhap news agency.

In South Korea, there are a reported 6,700 people under quarantine as they have possibly come in contact with infected individuals, reported The Voice of America.

The World Health Organization said that one of the main contributing factors to the South Korean outbreak were the health care workers' lack of awareness, as well as inadequate control measures and infection prevention in the country's hospitals. However, the WHO said the South Korean MERS outbreak is still not a "Public Health Emergency of International Concern."

"The risk of it spreading through the general community remains low," said Margaret Chan, head of the World Health Organization Thursday.

"Hopefully we can see the outbreak brought under control, although it might take some time," she said in Seoul, expressing optimism over the outbreak.

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