CRI听力:WHO Evaluates S. Korean Response to MERS

The latest victim to die of MERS related complications in South Korea was a 68-year-old woman who was hospitalized with a pre-existing heart condition. She was infected at the same hospital, which had recorded the largest outbreak so far.

Eight new MERS cases have also been identified on Tuesday alone, bringing the total number of infections to 95. But Tuesday's rise marked a slowdown from the 23 new cases announced a day earlier.

All confirmed infections in South Korea have occurred in hospitals.

Medical authorities have been criticized for not doing enough to prevent the spread of the virus, internally.

A team of experts from the World Health Organization are evaluating how South Korea's public health system has handled the crisis so far.

Kwon Deok-cheol, South Korean Health Ministry official, however, says the risk of a rapidly spreading pandemic is low.

"A joint response team made of experts from South Korea and the World Health Organization was launched today. The team assessed that the 'South Korean government has handled the situation well and its effort to share information in a transparent manner is key.' This joint effort is scheduled to take place until June 13."

The health ministry says the virus appears to be contained and that the epidemic has already passed its peak period.

Lee Dong-hun, an Infectious Diseases doctor at the Asan Medical center says congestion at popular hospitals led to the rapid spread of the virus among patients earlier.

"Due to the characteristics of the South Korean medical system, which allows people to be treated in large hospitals at affordable costs, a large number of patients tend to be congregated in emergency rooms of large hospitals, where people prefer to go to. I think the number of people, who came into close contact with MERS patients was increased during this process."

About 3000 people who may have had contact with MERS patients have been put under quarantine, some in hospitals but most at home.

Authorities say they are using mobile phones to track people who violate quarantine.

Over 2000 schools and 19 universities remain closed since Monday.

Meanwhile, Japan has set up a task forces in South Korea to help prevent the spread of MERS into Japan. But Tokyo is yet to issue any travel warning for its citizens.

South Korea has the biggest outbreak of MERS outside Saudi Arabia, where it was first identified three years ago.

The first MERS case in South Korea was a man who became infected during a business trip to Saudi Arabia. But he was diagnosed nine days after he first sought medical help.

The South Korean government has been criticized for its initial slow response to the epidemic.

There's no vaccine or cure for the virus, which has a high 40 percent mortality rate.

For CRI I'm Poornima Weerasekara.