The deadly virus that causes Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (Mers) has claimed its first victims in South Korea, with two deaths now confirmed, and another 18 people currently thought to be infected (although the official number at 30 May was 11).

South Korea’s Ministry of Health & Welfare only released detailed information about Mers infections in the country early last week, after a patient was reported to have contracted the infection after travelling back home to Incheon International Airport from Bahrain, via Qatar, at the start of May.

South Korea’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed a case of Mers coronavirus (MERS-CoV) on 20 May. According to the World Health Organization, the 68-year-old man’s recent travel history to Middle East also included the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

The health ministry has been criticised for its slow response to the outbreak and people have been demonstrating in the capital, Seoul, for the right to know where infected patients are located in the city.

HUNDREDS IN ISOLATION

According to the ministry, Korea’s Center for Disease Control & Prevention is “aggressively carrying out measures, such as reinforced quarantine and isolation for treatment to prevent further spread of Mers in Korea”. Almost 700 people in South Korea, who may have had exposure to infected patients, have been placed in isolation so far.

Worldwide, reported cases of the disease have, since March 2012 reached almost 1,200 of which fatalities were 479, a 40% death rate (see chart and click to enlarge). Around half of the cases have been in Saudi Arabia according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

The Mers coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is related to the virus that causes the common cold and to Sars which had a major impact on Asian travel patterns and on the duty free and travel retail industry at its height in 2003.

Prior to the two South Korean cases, the only previous fatality in East Asia was a Malaysian man who died in April after returning from a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia, says the ECDC. The UK has had three deaths from the disease out of four infections.

All cases reported from outside the Middle East have a recent travel history to the Middle East or contact with a patient who has a travel history to the Middle East according to ECDC data.