Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Superspreading Event Involving 81 Persons, Korea 2015.
10.3346/jkms.2015.30.11.1701
- Author:
Myoung Don OH
1
;
Pyoeng Gyun CHOE
;
Hong Sang OH
;
Wan Beom PARK
;
Sang Min LEE
;
Jinkyeong PARK
;
Sang Kook LEE
;
Jeong Sup SONG
;
Nam Joong KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. mdohmd@snu.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Brief Communication ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- Keywords:
MERS;
Coronavirus;
Superspreading Event;
Emergency Room;
Prevention
- MeSH:
Adult;
Coronavirus Infections/*epidemiology/*virology;
Female;
Humans;
Incidence;
Male;
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus/*isolation & purification;
Pandemics/*statistics & numerical data;
Republic of Korea/epidemiology;
Risk Factors
- From:Journal of Korean Medical Science
2015;30(11):1701-1705
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Since the first imported case of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection was reported on May 20, 2015 in Korea, there have been 186 laboratory-confirmed cases of MERS-CoV infection with 36 fatalities. Ninety-seven percent (181/186) of the cases had exposure to the health care facilities. We are reporting a superspreading event that transmitted MERS-CoV to 81 persons at a hospital emergency room (ER) during the Korean outbreak in 2015. The index case was a 35-yr-old man who had vigorous coughing while staying at the ER for 58 hr. As in severe acute respiratory syndrome outbreaks, superspreading events can cause a large outbreak of MERS in healthcare facilities with severe consequences. All healthcare facilities should establish and implement infection prevention and control measure as well as triage policies and procedures for early detection and isolation of suspected MERS-CoV cases.
