Despite calling the recent outbreak of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) virus in South Korea a "wakeup call" that warranted "close monitoring," the World Health Organization said on Wednesday that it still falls short of being a public health emergency.
The announcement, which came out of Tuesday's emergency committee meeting, was made even as the number of reported MERS cases climbed to 162, and the death toll increased to 20.
Emphasizing the role that health care facilities have played in the virus' spread, the WHO reportedly said there are no indications that this strain of MERS has undergone any mutations that would make it more difficult to treat, compared to strains that have circulated elsewhere, especially in Saudi Arabia.
More than 6,500 people remain in quarantine in South Korea, Reuters reported, and all of the deaths have been patients who were either elderly or had pre-existing medical conditions.
The latest death was of a 54-year-old woman who had high blood pressure and a preexisting respiratory condition. MERS symptoms include fever and coughing, which can turn deadly by causing serious respiratory distress.
— WHO (@WHO) June 17, 2015
In addition, the WHO said there is no need for any special travel restrictions to and from South Korea:
WHO does not recommend the application of any travel or trade restrictions, and considers screening at points of entry to be unnecessary at this time. Raising awareness about MERS and its symptoms among those traveling to and from affected areas is good public health practice.
WHO does not recommend any travel, trade restrictions and considers screening at points of entry to be unnecessary at this time #MERS
— WHO (@WHO) June 17, 2015
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta has backed the WHO's assessment on travel restrictions, placing MERS in the "Watch - Level 1" category, which simply urges travelers to "practice usual precautions." The CDC added on its website that it "does not recommend that Americans change their travel plans to the Republic of Korea or other countries because of MERS."
Concerned about the potential economic impact of lower tourism numbers related to the outbreak, South Korea has reportedly begun offering free "MERS insurance" to travelers that would cover all costs of treatment should they contract the virus while visiting the country.
Recently, the WHO came under fire for being to slow to help African nations respond to the ongoing Ebola outbreak, according to PBS, waiting months after international aid groups first requested the declaration of a health emergency.