“Super Spreader” of MERS Virus Shuts Down Much of Samsung Medical Center

I wonder what was so unique about this 14th patient that caused him to spread the virus to so many people? Was it because that he was a medical worker and not properly washing his hands before treating other patients?:

Samsung Medical Center in Seoul was partially shut down Sunday as more cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome were confirmed in the hospital. Meanwhile, the death toll across the country reached 15 and the number of those infected 145.

Hospital officials said they would stop receiving outpatients, suspend operations and restrict the visitors of hospitalized patients until June 24 as part of its efforts to contain the virus.

As of Sunday afternoon, 19 new cases were reported, according to the Health and Welfare Ministry. Of them, 11 occurred at Samsung Medical Center, putting the total number of MERS patients from the hospital at 72.

The hospital’s move to temporarily close came after the authorities confirmed that an emergency worker who transferred patients to the hospital was infected with MERS. The 55-year-old was suspected of having been infected by the 14th patient, who is considered the “super spreader” for spreading the virus to more than 70 people. [Korea Herald]

You can read more at the link, but Samsung Medical Center is definitely taking a huge hit to their reputation with the spread of the MERS virus coming from their hospital.