On Tuesday, South Korea reported eight new cases of Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), bringing the total number of cases to 95, including seven deaths. The outbreak has been traced back to a 68-year-old man who caught the virus in the Middle East and was misdiagnosed back home, traveling to several hospitals and spreading the disease. Citing the outbreak, Hong Kong issued a "red alert," discouraging residents from traveling to Korea because of "significant threat."
South Korea and the World Health Organization have formed a joint task force to quash the outbreak and study how it spreads. The WHO said Korea's aggressive response has been good and getting better, and it has not issued any travel advisory of its own. Koreans, though, are avoiding public gatherings to avoid getting infected. "We are fighting two wars," said Nam Kyung-pil, governor of the province that encircles Seoul: "The war against the disease and the war against fear." You can watch a Reuters update on Korea's MERS outbreak below. Peter Weber
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Who were the ‘weekend snipers’ of Sarajevo?Under the Radar Italian authorities launch investigation into allegations far-right gun enthusiasts paid to travel to Bosnian capital and shoot civilians ‘for fun’ during the four-year siege
-
A free speech debate is raging over sign language at the White HouseTalking Points The administration has been accused of excluding deaf Americans from press briefings
-
Glinda vs. Elphaba, Jennifer Lawrence vs. postpartum depression and wilderness vs. progress in November moviesthe week recommends This month’s new releases include ‘Wicked: For Good,’ ‘Die My Love’ and ‘Train Dreams’
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstancesSpeed Read
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2Speed Read
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governorSpeed Read
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditionsSpeed Read
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billionSpeed Read
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on recordSpeed Read
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homesSpeed Read
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creatureSpeed Read
