Netizens launch MERS tracking map

Courtesy of mersmap.com/

By Lee Ji-hye

Netizens in Korea are challenging the government's refusal to publicize the list of hospitals that have patients ㅡ confirmed, suspected or quarantined ㅡ with the deadly Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) virus.

The newly launched website uses Google maps and Facebook to file reports on the hospitals.

"This site was made to share information about MERS," the site's pop-up announcement reads.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare has refused to name the hospitals but said there were 14 with quarantined and/or confirmed patients.

When asked if it was necessary to make the list public, a health ministry official said: "There could be a mistake in reporting the names of the medical institutions, which will lead to the patients at the hospitals feeling unnecessary insecurity and uneasiness."

The ministry said it would "provide an alternative system for medical officials to confirm quarantined patients."

With no further updates on that system, netizens took matters into their own hands, creating an "open information system" for all to report and follow.

"This map is made by everyone's reports (through e-mail),” the announcement on the site said. “We only accept information that can be proven, such as press releases, therefore netizens cannot directly write on this site, but contribute by reporting through e-mails."

The site says information on institutions should be focused on special quarantine hospitals and the potential for the virus to spread in nearby regions.

"Through logging onto Facebook, reports of rumors can also be filed," the announcement reads.

As of Thursday, the nation's death rate from the virus was 5.7 percent, health officials confirmed.