MERS Statement n°6
FISU Medical Committee Chair,
Lawrence D. RINK, M.D.
We are now all in the Republic of Korea for the Summer Universiade and we feel very safe because of precautions taken by Korean Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC), the FISU Medical Committee in cooperation with the FISU Executive Committee, the GUOC and the Gwangju Metropolitan Health Department.
There have been no cases in the Gwangju area. Although the MERS situation is not completely resolved, there has only been one new case in the last five days. The most current update is the following:
• 185 cases in the Republic of Korea;
• 33 deaths
• 41 cases under treatment
• 33 discharged well.
• Others under observation.
All persons entering the Athletes’ Village are checked for fever. If a fever is detected, they are required to have a repeat temperature check and to fill out a questionnaire. If it would look like a probable incidence of an infectious disease that is contagious, the athlete may be quarantined up to 48 hours. To date, we have quarantined no individuals involved in the Summer Universiade.
We expect that to continue but we will go on monitoring our athletes closely. However, we do not expect the MERS situation to affect the Summer Universiade attendance.