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Thu, May 19, 2022 | 01:55
Defense
MERS puts US forces on alert
주한미군, '메르스 확산'에 기지 출입 감시 강화
Posted : 2015-06-04 16:04
Updated : 2015-06-04 21:34
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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.

MERS death toll rises; 1,600 quarantined
MERS death toll rises; 1,600 quarantined
2015-06-04 16:59  |  National

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.




주한미군, '메르스 확산'에 기지 출입 감시 강화

'오산공군기지 메르스 격리자 중 미군은 없어'

주한미군은 미군 장병의 중동호흡기증후군(메르스) 감염을 차단하기 위해 미군기지 출입 감시를 강화하는 등 대책을 마련했다고 4일 밝혔다.

주한 미 7공군은 이날 페이스북에 올린 글에서 '우리(미군) 병원은 오산공군기지로 들어오는 인원들에 대한 검사(screening)를 포함한 미군 보호 대책을 수립했다'고 공지했다.

이어 '우리는 한국측의 (메르스 방역 관련) 계획과 진전 상황을 파악하고자 한국의 의료, 공중보건 관리들과도 협력하고 있다'고 강조했다.

주한미군 관계자는 미 7공군의 이 같은 입장이 '주한미군 전체의 입장과 같다'고 설명했다.

미 7공군은 한국에서 메르스 사망자 5명이 발생한 상황을 언급하고 오산공군기지 소속 부사관 1명이 메르스 1차 양성 판정을 받았다는 국내 언론 보도도 거론했다.

미 7공군은 오산공군기지 부사관의 메르스 양성 판정으로 격리 조치를 받은 인원 가운데 미군 소속인 사람은 한 명도 없다고 설명했다.

미 7공군은 이 같은 정보를 공유하는 것이 '우리가 사실관계를 이해하고 서로 지켜주고 보살피기 위한 것'이라고 강조했다.

이 밖에도 미 7공군은 메르스가 사람들 사이의 장기적이고 긴밀한 접촉에 의해 감염된다며 자주 손을 씻고 기침할 때는 천으로 입을 가리며 몸이 아픈 사람과의 접촉을 피하라고 권고했다. (연합뉴스)
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