Cruise Lines Closely Monitor MERS Outbreak
Cruise lines are closely monitoring the MERS outbreak as fears and uncertainty continue to grip South Korea, with neighbors Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau raising travel alerts. The death toll in Korea rose to nine, with 108 confirmed cases as of Wednesday and 3,500 people placed under quarantine.
The World Health Organization has urged the reopening of nearly 2,500 schools, saying infections have occurred only at hospitals and come from close contact with those infected with the virus, and not the air.
Despite WHO having not recommended curbs on travel, thousands have cancelled plans to visit South Korea.
There are also reports of cruise lines moving to change their schedules due to concerns over MERS. Incheon and Busan are the cruise ports closest to the areas affected by MERS and there are unconfirmed reports of lines dropping calls there.
