MERS: ‘Avoid South Korea for time being’

GEORGE TOWN: Malaysians have been advised against travelling to South Korea for the time being following the outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Synd­rome Corona­virus (MERS-CoV) there.

“However, no ban has been issued to those coming from or going to the country,” Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya told reporters after opening the state-level World No Tobacco Day at the Penang Youth Centre in Acheh Street yesterday.

“We are monitoring airports. If a traveller has a high body temperature, he will be stopped for further checks.

“The incubation period for the disease is three weeks. Should they suffer symptoms such as fever within three weeks of visiting South Korea, they must report to the nearest hospital imme­diately.”

According to the World Health Organisation, there is no vaccine for the disease.

MERS-CoV primarily causes fever, cough and shortness of breath.

Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Pneumonia is common, and sometimes it may cause injury to organs, such as the kidneys.

About 27% of patients with MERS have died.

It was reported that South Korea recorded its fifth death from MERS and the number of infections there had risen to 64 as of yesterday.