South Korea: Imported MERS Case in Seoul

According to WHO's regional office, 1 laboratory-confirmed, imported case of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) was reported on September 8, 2018, in Seoul. The South Korean resident traveled while symptomatic aboard Emirates flight EK860 from Kuwait City, Kuwait to Dubai, UAE on September 6 and aboard Emirates flight EK322 from Dubai to Seoul on September 7. The patient was initially hospitalized at Samsung Medical Center and is now isolated at Seoul National University Hospital. This is the first case of MERS diagnosed in South Korea since July 2015. At present, no community or hospital contacts have been reported as symptomatic; effective measures appear to be in place. Any infections resulting from contacts of this case should manifest within the maximum 14-day incubation period. Risk to travelers is low.