WHO: No need for travel ban yet in South Korea

There is no need for travel restrictions to South Korea yet despite the increasing number of MERS-CoV cases there with several confirmed deaths, World Health Organization (WHO) spokesperson Alison Clements-Hunt said Wednesday.

“WHO would not advise a travel ban on a country which is experiencing MERS in this way,” Hunts said in an interview on “Balitanghali.” “We do not recommend the application of any travel or trade restrictions or any entry screening related to MERS.”

However, she said countries were within their rights to activate screening procedures on travelers coming from countries with reported MERS-CoV cases and to verify their countries of origin.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) had earlier said there is no need to impose a travel ban to South Korea yet, despite the increasing number of patients with MERS-CoV or the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus.

Hunt said while the South Korean government enacted infection prevention protocols known to have stopped the spread of the disease, travelers have a responsibility to protect themselves.

“There is a responsibility on the public to understand what MERS is, the fact that this is about good personal hygiene... and obviously avoiding, if they're traveling to the Middle East, contact with any areas where MERS has been identified,” she said.

Because of South Korea's adequate health system, the WHO focused its efforts into coordinating with health authorities to share their experience in containing MERS-CoV.

“They don't need medical assistance from any other countries or organizations... We're working together with the government to find the best way to respond to the virus,” Hunt said.

South Korea's health ministry announced the deaths of two more citizens and 13 new cases on Wednesday, bringing the total number of cases to 108. —Rie Takumi/KBK, GMA News
At a forum in Manila on Wednesday, June 10, Health Secretary Janette Garin said two Korean doctors who recently visited the Philippines tested negative for the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-coronavirus. Garin said aggressive surveillance is continuous not just in airports, but also in hospitals. DOH also met with healthcare workers from all over the country to update them on the disease. 

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