Revision of the response manual for Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in 2018

Ryu Bo-Yeong, Moon Sang-Jun, Kim Eun-Kyoung, Shin Seung-Hwan, Kim Hee-Jung, Shin Een-Suk, Seo Seung-Hee, Kim Gab-Jung, Wang Jin-Sook, Chung Yoon-Seok, Hwang Ji-Hye, Son Tae-Jong, Hong Jeong-Ik
Task Force Team for MERS-CoV Preparedness and Response, KCDC

As human cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) continue to be reported in the Middle East region since 2012, various actions for preparedness and response have been taken to detect imported cases rapidly and prevent spread of the disease. To strengthen these actions, the Korean government recently revised its manual based on the experiences in response to suspected patients from 2016 to 2017 and on scientific evidence published globally. This revision includes revising isolation measures for low-risk suspected patients and a type of compulsory specimen for laboratory tests. It is expected that this revised guideline will contribute to achieving the goal of “Early detection and prevention of spread of MERS” in collaboration with the provincial governments, community health centers, hospitals, and national quarantine stations.

Keywords: Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), Middle East respiratory syndrome, Manual, Community health centers, Hospitals