MERS Outbreak in South Korea Is Over
The Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak in South Korea is finally over, according to the government. The Foreign Ministry held a briefing for diplomats on Monday and discussed how the nation handled the viral illness. They also pointed out that there were no reports of new infections for over two weeks.
It has been more than a month since the first MERS cases in the country, which led to 186 confirmed infections and 36 deaths. These statistics make the outbreak the largest outside Middle East.
The illness has affected families - both directly and indirectly - and caused widespread panic, even internationally. But the biggest impact is on South Korea's tourism, leaving its industry with over 40% less visitors. Officials warn that this loss could cost the country almost $10 billion and the only solution is to turn around arrival figures to increase revenue.
One of the government's first steps is requesting foreign diplomats to help them share the news that the nation is now safe to travel.
Lee Key-cheol, Deputy Minister for Overseas Koreans and head of the MERS outbreak task force, said "it is the right time for Korea and the international community to make a concerted effort to normalize people-to-people exchange".
In line with the outbreak "coming to an end" and "already virtually over", according to Lee, the country's airlines will resume operations in August. Asiana Airlines Inc and Korean Air Lines Co Ltd have either cut or suspended flights to China, Japan and some Southeast Asian routes. In the next weeks, both companies will operate again in these destinations.
Park Won-Soon, Seoul's mayor, is also joining in on the effort to bring back the country's tourism. He will travel to Guangzhou, Shanghai and Beijing in August to convince travel agencies and Chinese tourists that travelling to South Korea won't expose them to health risks.
The nation might still be scrambling to regain its lost revenue, but with the government and citizens' joint efforts, its tourist industry and economy will gradually improve.
