The South Korean Government has declared a “de facto end” to the outbreak of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).
Prime Minister, Hwang Kyo-Ahn, on Tuesday, said that “there has been no new infections for 23 days”. Therefore, the public “can now be free from worry”.
The Prime Minister also apologised for the government’s much-criticised response to the virus, which had killed 36 people in the country.
“I ask the public to shake off all concerns over MERS and to resume normal daily activities, including economic, cultural, leisure and school activities”.
But the World Health Organization (WHO), said it is not yet declaring MERS officially over.
A spokeswoman in Manila, said the WHO requires 28 days without a new infection to make the announcement; twice the incubation period of the virus.
The outbreak also had a disastrous effect on the economy, with a 40 per cent drop in the number of foreign visitors to South Korea. At least 130,000 foreign tourists cancelled their travel plan to South Korea in June over MERS fear, according to government officials.
MERS was first identified in Saudi Arabia in 2012.
The disease is part of the corona virus family, which includes the common cold and SARS. It could cause such symptoms as fever, breathing problems, pneumonia and kidney failure.
