South Korea MERS Outbreak 2015 Death Toll Update: WHO Blames 'Doctor Shopping' for Virus Spread

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The overall death toll of the MERS virus has reached to 19. World Health Organization blames South Korean practice of "doctor shopping" for spreading the disease. Meanwhile, the total number of confirmed cases is 162.

The Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak in South Korea now has a total mortality count of 19 as of Tuesday, according to Mashable. The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that the virus infection is slowing down.

In a press release issued by the UN Health Organization, WHO blamed the South Korean practice of "doctor shopping" for the rapid spread of the disease.

"Conditions and cultural traditions specific to Korea have likely also played a role in the outbreak's rapid spread. The accessibility and affordability of health care in Korea encourage 'doctor shopping'; patients frequently consult specialists in several facilities before deciding on a first-choice facility," WHO said.

In addition to doctor shopping, the spread was also made possible by the Korean custom of visiting family members and friends when hospitalized. Constant bedside care from loved ones has increased their susceptibility to the virus.

Because of this, it is possible to trace the start of the disease and map out the outbreak. Almost all of the cases are linked to health care facilities and almost half of the cases—around 75—can be traced back to Samsung Medical Center in Seoul.

"All cases detected to date appear to be linked back to the index case, who was diagnosed and isolated on 20 May," WHO said. "To date, spread has largely occurred in the confined setting of health care facilities, with no known spillover into the general population."

The agency added that Korean health authorities are monitoring possible infections and that more cases are expected to surface.

The outbreak has caused an economic impact on South Korea's tourism industry. The South Korea Times reports that the country will be offering free MERS insurance to all foreign tourists upon entering the country.

"We hope the measures will make foreign tourists feel that Korea is still a safe country to visit," said Vice Minister Kim Jong on Monday's press conference. "If the decline of foreign tourists continues the tourism industry will suffer substantial damage during the summer peak season."

As of June 14, more than 100,000 foreigners have cancelled their flights to Korea, according to the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO). Most of the would-be tourists were from Chinese-speaking countries, with Taiwan having the highest number of cancelled flight tickets.