Browse > Article
http://dx.doi.org/10.14367/kjhep.2015.32.3.1

Epidemiology and challenges on the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) outbreak in Korea, 2015  

Lee, Moo-Sik (Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Konyang University)
Publication Information
Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion / v.32, no.3, 2015 , pp. 1-9 More about this Journal
Abstract
Objectives: The purpose of this article was to assess epidemiological characteristics and recommendations for strengthening national response and preparedness after MERS-CoV outbreak in Korea, 2015. Methods: The author reviewed epidemiological reports and policy recommendations on MERS-CoV outbreak in Korea, 2015. Results: There was no evidence that genetical difference between the MERS viruses in the Republic of Korea and recent viruses in the Middle East. From the index case to last laboratory-confirmed case, there were 186 laboratory-confirmed cases that included 36 deaths(19.4%), all of whom appear epidemiologically linked to the index cases or subsequent secondary, tertiary, and quaternary cases. This outbreak spread to hospitals through nosocomial transmission. At least, three large clusters were investigated. However, there was at least one case of community transmission of MERS-CoV. Several factors had contributed to the MERS outbreak in Korea, 2015 that including epidemiological characteristics, and infrastructure of national healthcare system for preventing and controlling emerging infectious diseases. Conclusions: It is very important that to share experiences and identify underlying causes of this outbreak for prevention and control of emerging infectious disease in the future; including epidemiology, clinical features, and public health response and preparedness.
Keywords
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome; Outbreak; Epidemiology; Prevention and control; Korea;
Citations & Related Records
Times Cited By KSCI : 2  (Citation Analysis)
연도 인용수 순위
1 Kim, D. H. (2015). Weakness of public health preparedness on MERS outbreak and capacity building. The Korean Society of Preventive Medicine, Korean Society of Epidemiology, member of the National Assembly Shin S.J. Emergency Symposium.
2 Kim, S. W. (2015). MERS-CoV outbreak in the Republic of Korea, EIS officer 1st Continuing Education 2015. Cheongju; Korea Center for Disease Prevention and Control.
3 Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(KCDC). (2014). Guideline for management of MERS. Cheongju; Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
4 Kleczkowski, B. M. (1984). National health systems and their reorientation towards heath for all. Geneva; WHO.
5 Lee, M. S. (2015). Sixteen years experiences and challenges of the field epidemiology training program (FETP) in Korea. Special Symposium on the Epidemiology and future plan to MERS-CoV outbreak Korea. Seoul; The Korean Society of Preventive Medicine.
6 Lee, W. C. (2015). Reform on Prevention and Control Countermeasure for Emerging Infectious disease. A Public Hearing on National Infectious Disease Prevention and Control System Reform. Sejong: Ministry of Health and Welfare.
7 Mackay, I. M. (2015). Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV). Retrieved from: http://www.sott.net/article/262615-Middle-East-Respiratory-Syndrome-Coronavirus-MERS-CoV/.
8 Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) and Korean Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(KCDC). Press release summary - MERS Statistics; 7 September 2015. Retrieved from: http://mers.go.kr/mers/html/jsp/main.jsp.
9 Zumla, A., Hui, D. S., & Perlman, S. (2015). Middle East respiratory syndrome. The Lancet. Retrieved from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(15)60454-8.   DOI   ScienceOn
10 Al-Tawfiq, J. A., & Memish, Z. A. (2014). Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus: epidemiology and disease control measures. Infect Drug Resist and Drug Resist, 7, 281.
11 Bae, J. M. (2015). “The Duty to Prevent” during an epidemic situation like 2015 Korean MERS outbreak. Epidemiol Health 37, e2015037.   DOI
12 Cho, S. I. (2015). Current situation on preparedness for MERS in Seoul City and Future Public health policies. A Debate on Infectious Disease Prevention and Control in Seoul City. Seoul; Headquarter of MERS Prevention and Control in Seoul City: 2015.
13 Chun BC. Cluster of Seoul city, MERS-CoV in Korea. (2015). Special Symposium on the Epidemiology and future plan to MERS-CoV outbreak Korea. Seoul; The Korean Society of Preventive Medicine: 2015.
14 Durai P, Batool M, Shah M, Choi S. (2015) Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus: transmission, virology and therapeutic targeting to aid in outbreak control. Exp Mol Med, 47(8), e181.   DOI   ScienceOn
15 Ki, M.(2015) MERS outbreak in Korea: hospital-to-hospital transmission. Epidemiol Health, 37, e2015033.   DOI
16 Special Committee on MERS, National Assembly of Republic of Korea. (2015). Report of Special Committee on MERS Activities. Special Committee on MERS, Seoul; National Assembly of Republic of Korea.
17 Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) and Korean Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(KCDC). Press release summary - MERS Statistics; 7 July 2015. Retrieved from: http://mers.go.kr/mers/html/jsp/main.jsp# Last accessed: 24 June 2015b.
18 Nam, H. S. (2015). Cluster of Daejeon city, MERS-CoV in Korea. Special Symposium on the Epidemiology and future plan to MERS-CoV outbreak Korea. Seoul; The Korean Society of Preventive Medicine.
19 Park, Y. H. (2015). The political agenda of the health care system reform to prevent public health emergency in post-middle east respiratory syndrome epidemic. Health Policy and Manag, 25(2), 63-66.   DOI   ScienceOn
20 Western Pacific Region Office, World Health Organization (WPRO). (2015). MERS-CoV in Republic of Korea at a glance as of 29 July 2015. Retrieved from: http://www.wpro.who.int/outbreaks_emergencies/wpro_coronavirus/en/.
21 World Health Organization. (2015). Preliminary data from sequencing of viruses in the Republic of Korea and the People's Republic of China; MERS-CoV situation assessment 9 June 2015. Retrieved from: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/coronavirus_infections/risk-assessment-9june2015/en/.
22 World Health Organization. (2015). Press release summary - WHO statement on the ninth meeting of the IHR Emergency Committee regarding MERS-CoV. 17 June 2015. Retrieved from: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/statements/2015/ihr-ec-mers/en/.
23 Zaki, A. M., Van, Boheemen. S., Bestebroer, T. M., Osterhaus, A. D., & Fouchier, R. A. (2012). Isolation of a novel coronavirus from a man with pneumonia in Saudi Arabia. N Engl J of Med, 367(19), 1814-20.   DOI   ScienceOn