The case count in South Korea continues to increase, with 138 cases and 14 deaths to date. There is at least one other hospital with cases reported (Good Morning Hospital in Pyeongtaek), but no community transmission to date. The only non-hospital-acquired cases are close family contacts of cases, as well as a newly-reported transmission in an ambulance driver that had helped transport an elderly woman who had eventually died from MERS-CoV infection. The results of epidemiological investigations for five of the most recent cases have not been publicly reported.

MERS-CoV cases in South Korea according to date of confirmation and hospitals involved.

MERS-CoV cases in South Korea according to date of confirmation and hospitals involved.

So far, the outbreak appears to be under control, with new cases arising only among persons who have already been identified as contacts and who are under quarantine. Nonetheless, the socioeconomic impact remains great, and like SARS, will likely have knock-on effects in the immediate future.

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