Middle East Respiratory Syndrome outbreak in Korea exposed workers to high risks

The Republic of Korea’s medical facilities were woefully unprepared, and private hospitals that comprise 90% of all hospitals were refusing to treat MERS cases, leaving the problem largely to the public hospitals.

The KHMU (Korean Health and Medical Workers’ Unions) along with the KPTU (Korean Public Services and Transport Workers’ Union) took the leadership role in drawing attention to the poor level of preparation and training of Korean healthcare workers and the failure to provide hospitals with adequate equipment. This left healthcare workers exposed to an unacceptable level of risk (see PSI news items below).

WHO calls for strong disease control and intensified public health measures. Continued vigilance through an early detection and swift response system is essential. Since the beginning of the outbreak, 186 confirmed cases of MERS-CoV have been reported (185 in Korea and 1 in China) and 36 patients have died from the disease.

More information:

• PSI statement on Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in Korea

• Korea MERS outbreak: trade unions say Save people's lives, protect workers' safety

• Korea: health staff confronted with MERS coronavirus demand government action plan