By Yi Whan-woo
The United States Forces Korea (USFK) said Thursday it will tighten health checks at its military bases to protect its service members from the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) virus.
The move comes after a Korean chief master sergeant serving at the U.S. Air Force base in Osan, Gyoneggi Province, tested positive Wednesday for the deadly virus.
USFK also said it will work with Korean health authorities to stay updated on the spread of the virus, adding it shares the same view with the 51st Fighter Wing about the situation.
The 51st Fighter Wing, which is under the 7th U.S. Air Force, is stationed at Osan Air Base. It has about 10,000 U.S. military personnel, their family members and affiliated Korean workers.
"Our hospital has established a plan to care for our population as well as screening those coming onto Osan," it said in a Facebook message, Thursday. "We are also coordinating with Korean medical and public health officials to stay informed on their plans and progress."
The unit assessed that the Korean military took "prudent measures" in keeping the Korean chief master sergeant in quarantine, about whom further detailed information has not been disclosed.
If confirmed, it would be the first case of MERS in the Korean military.
He is believed to have been infected with the respiratory illness after sustaining a leg fracture and being hospitalized at a private hospital in Gyeonggi Province, where a patient confirmed with MERS has been receiving medical attention.
The Korea Air Force said it isolated the chief master sergeant at the Armed Forces Capital Hospital in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province to prevent further infection. It also said it asked 100 people who visited him before being quarantined to avoid contact with others.
"They have taken prudent measures and asked around 100 visitors and co-workers who might have been in close contact to remain at home," the 51st Fighter Wing stated.
It added none of those kept in quarantine were U.S. personnel.
The unit urged its service members to observe personal hygiene.
"Protective measures are simple: Wash your hands regularly but especially prior to touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, eating, drinking, inserting contacts or applying cosmetics, it said.
The virus has killed three people in Korea since its first outbreak on May 20.
The United States Forces Korea (USFK) said Thursday it will tighten health checks at its military bases to protect its service members from the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) virus.
The move comes after a Korean chief master sergeant serving at the U.S. Air Force base in Osan, Gyoneggi Province, tested positive Wednesday for the deadly virus.
USFK also said it will work with Korean health authorities to stay updated on the spread of the virus, adding it shares the same view with the 51st Fighter Wing about the situation.
The 51st Fighter Wing, which is under the 7th U.S. Air Force, is stationed at Osan Air Base. It has about 10,000 U.S. military personnel, their family members and affiliated Korean workers.
"Our hospital has established a plan to care for our population as well as screening those coming onto Osan," it said in a Facebook message, Thursday. "We are also coordinating with Korean medical and public health officials to stay informed on their plans and progress."
The unit assessed that the Korean military took "prudent measures" in keeping the Korean chief master sergeant in quarantine, about whom further detailed information has not been disclosed.
If confirmed, it would be the first case of MERS in the Korean military.
He is believed to have been infected with the respiratory illness after sustaining a leg fracture and being hospitalized at a private hospital in Gyeonggi Province, where a patient confirmed with MERS has been receiving medical attention.
The Korea Air Force said it isolated the chief master sergeant at the Armed Forces Capital Hospital in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province to prevent further infection. It also said it asked 100 people who visited him before being quarantined to avoid contact with others.
"They have taken prudent measures and asked around 100 visitors and co-workers who might have been in close contact to remain at home," the 51st Fighter Wing stated.
It added none of those kept in quarantine were U.S. personnel.
The unit urged its service members to observe personal hygiene.
"Protective measures are simple: Wash your hands regularly but especially prior to touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, eating, drinking, inserting contacts or applying cosmetics, it said.
The virus has killed three people in Korea since its first outbreak on May 20.
