After three consecutive weeks without detecting any new cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), the South Korean government is expected to declare the outbreak over in the near future.

South Korea is expected to declare the MERS outbreak "essentially" over in the near future - Photo: Yonhap

According to an announcement today, July 26th, from the South Korean Ministry of Health, no new cases of MERS have been detected in the country for the past three weeks, and there have been no deaths from the disease in the past 14 days.

Currently, the total number of infections stands at 186, with 36 deaths, 138 people discharged after full recovery, and 12 still receiving treatment, although 11 of them have tested negative for MERS.

The remaining patient also tested negative in several tests, and their quarantine is expected to be lifted after midnight tonight.

According to the Korea Herald, the government is expected to announce the end of the MERS outbreak "essentially" this week, although the official declaration will come later as per World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines.

According to WHO regulations, a declaration that an outbreak has ended must be made at least 28 days after the last patient has fully recovered.

(According to TTO)