South Korean health officials reported three more Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infections on June 23, lifting the total to 175 cases. The 2015 South Korean outbreak is the largest reported outside of Saudi Arabia, where the disease first emerged in April 2012 and the vast majority of cases have occurred. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is no evidence of sustained transmission in the community at this time.

MERS-CoV is different from any other coronaviruses that have been found in people before and is part of a large family of viruses that can cause diseases ranging from the common cold to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. The experts said South Korea’s outbreak highlights the need for America’s public health and healthcare systems to boost their routine infection control and prevention capacity.

For more information about MERS-CoV, view the WHO factsheet. For ongoing case updates, visit WHO’s website.