South Korea MERS outbreak

        South Korea is grappling with two battles: the virus itself and the public fear over MERS, one official declared.

The nation has been struck by the largest outbreak of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outside of Saudi Arabia, where the virus was discovered.

And the number of cases grow every day. On Tuesday, South Korea reported that a seventh person has died from MERS and another eight have contracted the virus, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 95.

More than 2,800 people remain quarantined, either at home or in health facilities. And more than 2,000 schools remain closed.

Mainly older patients

The virus has struck mainly adults -- with the exception of a single 16-year-old male.

And the MERS deaths have been among older adults with pre-existing conditions.MERS, which surfaced three years ago, is not well-understood. Because the virus is still fairly new, doctors and scientists do not know the exact source or mode of its transmission. But it does not transmit easily between people.

Steps to prevent MERS

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then dispose of the tissue.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid personal contact, such as kissing, or sharing cups or eating utensils, with sick people.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects, such as doorknobs.

Source: CDC

MERS spreads from close contact with an ill person, usually by living with them or caring for them, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Far from alone

The South Korean outbreak had its first case on May 20. The vast majority of the cases are hospital clusters.

Experts from the World Health Organization who have dealt with MERS will arrive to South Korea to assess the pattern of the virus spread and to look at public health response efforts.

The latest outbreak prompted Hong Kong to issue a travel alert to its residents, asking members of the public to avoid traveling to South Korea unless it is necessary.

South Korea is far from alone in dealing with MERS. As of Wednesday, 1,179 cases of MERS have been confirmed in 25 countries, according to WHO data.

Two of those cases were in the United States. Both were health workers who lived in Saudi Arabia.Seoul, South Korea (CNN)