Table 1.
Highlighting key social and public health differences between the 2012 Saudi Arabian and 2015 South Korean MERS outbreaks. Differences in lifestyle of citizens, personal belief systems, and healthcare response to the outbreak are all suspected to have influenced the duration of the outbreak, and the final death toll.
| Saudi Arabia | South Korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Outbreak Timeline | 2013-present | May-July 2015 |
| Type of Outbreak | Endemic | Imported |
| Patient 0 | 60-year old resident | 68-year old traveller |
| Case Fatality Rate | 36–46% | 21% |
| Estimated Death Toll | >400 | 39 |
| Primary Source of Infection | Dromedary camels and livestock | Nosocomial |
| Common Nutrition Source | Dromedary camel milk and meat [59,60,61] | Rice, pork, and beef |
| Public Education During Outbreak | Poor | Good |
| Regulatory Boards in Place | RRT (rapid response team) | MERS-CoV Infection Prevention and Control Guideline Development Committee |
| Implementation of Education and Regulatory Measures | Poor, conflicted among boards | Good, standardized |
| Isolation/Sanitation Techniques Employed in Hospitals | Information Unavailable | Mandatory masks, gloves, gowns for visitors and staff |
| Government Involvement in Healthcare | High | Low |
| Media Coverage, Globally | High | Low |