| A young nurse who recently returned from working in Saudi Arabia is being tested for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). Yonhap |
By Jung Hae-myoung
A young nurse suspected of having Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) has tested negative to the disease, the Busan Public Health and Environment Research Institute said Tuesday. A second test is pending.
According to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the nurse, 20, had worked at a hospital in Saudi Arabia since February and entered Korea on July 26.
The woman went to hospital and was isolated after showing symptoms of a sore throat and chills. MERS symptoms include fever, chills, difficulty in breathing and a sore throat.
If the second test proves negative, the patient will be released from quarantine. The result will be known Wednesday.
MERS is a contagious respiratory disease that hit South Korea in 2015. Thirty-eight people died out of 186 confirmed patients.
Last year, 220 people were suspected of MERS but all tested negative. If symptoms are experienced, the patient must call the hospital to alert it before visiting.