PUTRAJAYA, June 24 — Athletes, officials and coaches involved in the 2015 World University Games (Universiade) in Gwangju, South Korea have been reminded to seek prompt treatment if they catch fever or colds.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said prompt treatment was crucial to prevent being infected by the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), which is now plaguing South Korea.

“We urge those who are sick to seek treatment, that is the most appropriate (thing to do) rather than overreact,” he told a media conference here, today.

A total 111 athletes and 67 officials and coaches are involved in the meet from July 3 to 14.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), until Tuesday, 174 MERS-CoV cases were recorded in South Korea with 27 deaths.

Commenting further on MERS-CoV which started in the Middle East, Dr Subramaniam reiterated his suggestion that pilgrims and those performing umrah (small haj) rule out visits to camel farms and drinking camel’s milk when in the Holy Land.

On dengue, the minister urged traders at Ramadan bazaars and the public not to indiscrimiately dump garbage to curb the spread of the Aedes mosquitos.

“At the same time, local authorities must ensure bazaars and areas of public focus are cleaned weekly to eradicate the breeding grounds of the mosquito,” he said.

A total, 53,823 cases of dengue fever were recorded from January to June 20, or an increase of 34 per cent compared to 40,208 during the same period last year. — Bernama