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Large number of confirmed MERS cases linked to hospitals
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south korea mers spread hospitals
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Large number of confirmed MERS cases linked to hospitals
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This picture taken on June 7, 2015 shows medical workers caring for a MERS patient at Konyang University Hospital in Daejeon, south of Seoul, South Korea.
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Inside one of the hospitals at center of MERS outbreak
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GOYANG, SOUTH KOREA - JUNE 09: Disinfection workers wearing protective gears spray anti-septic solution in an subway amid rising public concerns over the spread of MERS virus at Seoul metro railway base on June 9, 2015 in Goyang, South Korea. South Korea has reported eighth death, 2,892 quarantined, and 1800 schools closed as of June 9, 2015. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)
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MERS outbreak prompts travel alerts from HK, Taiwan
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A Saudi man wears a mask as he walks in the city of Jeddah on April 27. Saudi Arabia has recently seen an alarming increase in confirmed cases of Middle East respiratory symptom coronavirus.
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2014: First MERS case reported in the U.S.
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Story highlights

South Korea has 108 cases of MERS and nine deaths

Ten people released from quarantine in Hong Kong and Guangzhou

Hong Kong issues travel advice to avoid unnecessary travel to South Korea

Seoul, South Korea CNN  — 

South Korea is grappling with two battles: the virus itself and the public fear over MERS, one official declared.

The nation has been struck by the largest outbreak of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome outside Saudi Arabia, where the virus was discovered.

And the number of cases grows every day. On Tuesday, South Korea reported that a ninth person had died from MERS and another 13 had contracted the virus, bringing the number of confirmed cases to 108.

More than 2,800 people remain quarantined, either at home or in health facilities. More than 2,000 schools remain closed.

Mainly older patients

The virus has struck mainly adults, with the exception of one 16-year-old boy. And the MERS deaths have been among older adults with pre-existing conditions.

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mers explainer sanjay orig nws_00003808.jpg
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Related video What you need to know about MERS

MERS, which surfaced three years ago, is not well understood. Because the virus is still fairly new, doctors and scientists do not know its exact source or mode of transmission. But it is not easily transmitted from person-to-person.

Steps to prevent MERS

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then dispose of the tissue.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid personal contact, such as kissing, or sharing cups or eating utensils, with sick people.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects, such as doorknobs.

  • Source: CDC

    MERS is contracted through close contact with an ill person, usually by living with, or caring for, him or her, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

    Far from alone

    The case that began the South Korean outbreak hit on May 20. The vast majority of the cases are hospital clusters.

    Experts from the World Health Organization who have dealt with MERS arrived in South Korea to assess the pattern of the virus spread and to look at public health response efforts.

    5 things to know about MERS

    The latest outbreak prompted Hong Kong to issue a travel alert asking residents to avoid unnecessary travel to South Korea.

    In Hong Kong on Tuesday, six Koreans were released from quarantine, having passed the 14 day incubation period and tested negative. All six had been on the same airplane flight on May 26.

    Also Tuesday, in Guangzhou, in south China, four Koreans from that same flight to Hong Kong, were released from quarantine. Another four people, who attended a conference with someone who had MERS, are scheduled to be released on Wednesday.

    South Korea is far from alone in dealing with MERS. As of early June, 1,179 cases of MERS have been confirmed in 25 countries, according to WHO.

    Two of the cases occurred in the United States in May 2014. Both were health workers who lived in Saudi Arabia.

    CNN’s Madison Park contributed to this report.