Notice
Prevention and Control of MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) 2-1 version
Prevention and Control of MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) 2-1 version
Since the diagnosis of Korea’s first MERS patient, the number of MERS patients has increased rapidly, causing concern among POSTECH members. Accordingly, POSTECH Health Center hereby announces guidelines for preventing and controlling the spread of MERS abided by the policy of the Ministry of Education. For those of you who have symptoms of the MERS virus, please immediately report it to either POSTECH Health Center or Pohang Namgu Health Center in order to prevent spread of the disease. Please carefully read the following information below:
1. MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) Overview
A. What is MERS?
MERS is a respiratory illness caused by the infection of coronavirus.
B. Clinical Characteristics
– Incubation Period: Symptoms appear within 5 days (2-14 days)
– Symptoms: Fever, cough, difficulty breathing, diarrhea, nausea, etc.
– Route of Infection: Specific routes and sources of infection have not yet been
confirmed; however, it has been reported that it spreads through close contact with
MERS patients.
– Patients with chronic illnesses or low immune system will be hard to treat and recover.
– Treatment: Preventive vaccines and medicine have not yet been developed;
medical treatments depend on patients’ symptoms.
C. Infectious Disease Crisis Alert (15.5.22 )
– The infectious disease crisis alert is currently at "caution" level;
however, the response is at "alert" level.
※ Please refer to "Judgement Criteria per Crisis Stage and How to Response"
in the attachment (p.3).
2. POSTECH MERS Infection Control Procedures
A. Report: Report to POSTECH Health Center, Pohang Namgu Health Center,
or MERS Hotline
– Reporting to POSTECH Health Center
☞ Temperature measurement and medical consultation -> If you have symptoms and
had close contact with MERS patients, please report to Pohang Namgu Health Center
(See table 1). -> Medical staff from Pohang Namgu Health Center visit POSTECH ->
Examine the patient and conduct epidemiological survey -> If a patient is suspected
to have MERS, he or she will be transferred to government-designated quarantine
facilities -> Diagnosis -> If the result is positive, the patient will be treated under
quarantine.
☞ If you have had close contact with a suspected MERS patient -> self-quarantine for
14 days (See table 2)
☞ Temperature measurement and medical consultation -> If you have symptoms with
no experience of close contact with (suspected) MERS patients -> Closely watched
or report to medical facilities
– Reporting Directly to Pohang Namgu Health Center or MERS Hotline: Same process
as the above
※ Emergency Report
• POSTECH: Daytime, POSTECH Health Center 279-2620, Nighttime, Security Control 279 – 2222
• Pohang Namgu Health Center: Daytime 270-4032~4, Nighttime 270-4004 (Operate overnight)
• MERS Hotline: 109 (Operate overnight)
※ (Table 1: Checklist for MERS)
MERS is a respiratory illness caused by the infection of coronavirus.
B. Clinical Characteristics
– Incubation Period: Symptoms appear within 5 days (2-14 days)
– Symptoms: Fever, cough, difficulty breathing, diarrhea, nausea, etc.
– Route of Infection: Specific routes and sources of infection have not yet been
confirmed; however, it has been reported that it spreads through close contact with
MERS patients.
– Patients with chronic illnesses or low immune system will be hard to treat and recover.
– Treatment: Preventive vaccines and medicine have not yet been developed;
medical treatments depend on patients’ symptoms.
C. Infectious Disease Crisis Alert (15.5.22 )
– The infectious disease crisis alert is currently at "caution" level;
however, the response is at "alert" level.
※ Please refer to "Judgement Criteria per Crisis Stage and How to Response"
in the attachment (p.3).
2. POSTECH MERS Infection Control Procedures
A. Report: Report to POSTECH Health Center, Pohang Namgu Health Center,
or MERS Hotline
– Reporting to POSTECH Health Center
☞ Temperature measurement and medical consultation -> If you have symptoms and
had close contact with MERS patients, please report to Pohang Namgu Health Center
(See table 1). -> Medical staff from Pohang Namgu Health Center visit POSTECH ->
Examine the patient and conduct epidemiological survey -> If a patient is suspected
to have MERS, he or she will be transferred to government-designated quarantine
facilities -> Diagnosis -> If the result is positive, the patient will be treated under
quarantine.
☞ If you have had close contact with a suspected MERS patient -> self-quarantine for
14 days (See table 2)
☞ Temperature measurement and medical consultation -> If you have symptoms with
no experience of close contact with (suspected) MERS patients -> Closely watched
or report to medical facilities
– Reporting Directly to Pohang Namgu Health Center or MERS Hotline: Same process
as the above
※ Emergency Report
• POSTECH: Daytime, POSTECH Health Center 279-2620, Nighttime, Security Control 279 – 2222
• Pohang Namgu Health Center: Daytime 270-4032~4, Nighttime 270-4004 (Operate overnight)
• MERS Hotline: 109 (Operate overnight)
※ (Table 1: Checklist for MERS)
※ (Table 2: People who had close contact with MERS patients)
|
* People who had close contact with MERS patients
– People who did not wear proper protective gear (gowns, gloves, N-95 masks, eye protection goggles, etc), and • stayed within 2m from the MERS patient • shared the same room with the MERS patient (families, medical staff, etc.) • had direct contact with the MERS patient’s respiratory secretions and body fluids |
3. Prevention of MERS
A. Abide by the personal sanitation practices such as washing hands thoroughly.
-Please wash your hands throughly with soap or alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
B. When coughing, cover your mouth with tissue and wear masks if necessary.
C. Avoid close contact with someone who has fever or other respiratory symptoms.
D. Avoid visiting crowded places. If you must visit such places, please wear masks.
Ex) group events, picnics, seminars/conferences, etc.
※ You may purchase masks from the convenience stores at Jigok Community Center
and Student Union Building.
E. Do not touch eyes, nose, or lips with your uncleaned hands.
F. Please visit POSTECH Health Center or other medical facilities when having symptoms
such as fever, cough, and difficulty breathing.
G. Please visit the website of Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(www.cdc.go.kr) or MERS Website (www.mers.go.kr) for detailed information on MERS.
4. Refrain from attending large-scale events (membership training, sport events,
etc.)
A. Unnecessary events
B. Medical job training in cities that are considered to be at high risk of MERS infection.
※ If the event is unavoidable, please host the event by thoroughly conducting
the procedures of prevention and control of MERS.
the procedures of prevention and control of MERS.
5. Contact Information: POSTECH Health Service Center, Bong-hwa Kim (Tel. 279-2620)
