The wedding photo that reveals South Korea’s fear of the Mers virus
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Version 0 of 1. A photo of wedding guests in surgical masks, which has gone viral online, was not meant to be taken seriously but has raised fears about the South Korean outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (Mers). Guests at the wedding in Seoul on Saturday did not wear masks during the ceremony but took the photo with them as a fun way to wish the couple “a healthy life”, according to the event planner, Sewing in the Soil. The photo which spread quickly on social media has become a symbol of the South Korean outbreak of Mers which has infected almost 100 people and killed nine. It is the largest outbreak of the virus outside of Saudi Arabia and the World Health Organisation says that further cases are likely. Over 2,800 people are being kept in quarantine and more than 200 primary schools have been closed. The online reaction to the photo has been strong with one Facebook user commenting: “This is so scary and sad.” The young couple, who are currently on honeymoon, were taken aback by the publicity, according to their wedding planner. No hugs, kisses in #Saudi wedding amid #MERS fears - all guests to not even shake hands! http://t.co/PLvKxPanWT”@RimaAlMukhtar Al Arabiya reported that guests at a wedding in Saudia Arabia in April were told not to kiss, hug or shake hands amid fears of Mers being spread. So far all deaths in South Korea from the virus, which has no known cure or vaccine, have been older patients with underlying illnesses. Mers has killed over 400 people worldwide since September 2012, with the first deaths recorded in Saudi Arabia. The South Korean Mers outbreak began with a businessman who was diagnosed with the virus on 20 May after visiting Saudi Arabia. Read more:Mers outbreak: Don't drink potentially fatal camel urine, WHO warnsMers in South Korea: Seventh death reported as live cases near 100Mers virus kills sixth person as South Korea scrambles to contain outbreak |