Asia: MERS epidemic is getting worse

(Baonghean.vn)- While there is still no cure for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), the disease continues to worsen in Asia. Especially after South Korea announced the death of its 24th MERS patient on June 19 and a day before, Thailand also announced the discovery of the first MERS case in the country.

Thai authorities are disinfecting planes to prevent Mers - Reuters photo.

On Friday, June 19, the South Korean government confirmed another case of MERS, bringing the number of infected patients to 166 with nearly 6,000 cases in quarantine. Also on the same day, the South Korean Ministry of Health said that the 24th victim of MERS had died.

While the South Korean government is struggling with the MERS outbreak, on June 18, Thai authorities made a worrying announcement when they said they had discovered the first case of MERS in the country. According to the Thai Health Minister, the first person infected with MERS in the country is a 75-year-old man. It is known that on June 15, this man went to a hospital in Bangkok to treat a heart condition before being diagnosed with MERS. Currently, all three members of the man's family have been quarantined at the hospital.

On June 17, in response to the outbreak in South Korea, the World Health Organization (WHO) said it was “a wake-up call for all countries” and also criticized the “lack of knowledge” of health workers and the public about MERS. According to WHO, people infected with MERS often have symptoms such as fever, chills, digestive and respiratory disorders. There is currently no vaccine for MERS and the mortality rate when infected with this virus is up to 35%.

Chu Thanh – according to Le Monde, Le Figaro