Seroprevalence of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in public health workers responding to a MERS outbreak in Seoul, Republic of Korea, in 2015
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5365/wpsar.2018.9.3.002Abstract
A large MERS outbreak occurred in the Republic of Korea (ROK) with 186 confirmed cases from May to July 2015. In the emergency response to the outbreak, including transporting and conducting initial interviews with suspected and confirmed patients, Local Public Health Centers (LPHC) and emergency medical services (EMS) personnel had contact with the patients. We conducted a cross-sectional study to assess whether LPHC and EMS workers were infected and to determine their exposure status. The serologic study was performed using ELISA as a screening test and IFA and PRNT for confirmation. A total of 34 workers from CHS and EMS participated in the study. Most of the staff exposed to MERS patients used adequate personal protective equipment (PPE). All study participants had negative test results despite having direct contact with patients. In conclusion, there was no evidence of MERS transmission via close contact with confirmed patients when PPE was properly used.
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