Nosocomial Spread and Control of a MERS Outbreak in Korea

Patients and healthcare workers exposed to Middle East respiratory syndrome in a hospital disseminated the infection; case tracing, quarantine, and daily monitoring terminated it.

Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), first recognized only a few years ago on the Arabian Peninsula, is caused by a novel coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and is transmitted human to human. Outbreaks elsewhere have been traced to returning travelers from this region. During May to July 2015, the largest outbreak in a nonendemic region occurred in Korea and was largely confined to hospitals treating two patients: one who had returned from the Mideast and one who was in contact with the index case in an emergency department. Researchers now detail infection control measures implemented in this outbreak.

Two hospitals were involved: one general, the other a tertiary care center. In all, 9793 individuals were identified as exposed. Of these, 1499 were…

Reviewing Author

Stephen G. Baum, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardClinical Infectious Diseases

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsMedical Letter

Stephen G. Baum, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardClinical Infectious Diseases

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsMedical Letter

Nosocomial Spread and Control of a MERS Outbreak in Korea

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Reviewing Author