Responding to the MERS outbreak in the Republic of Korea

In health systems, for example, shocks such as disease outbreaks lead to a series of major policy shifts. As was the case with the Republic of Korea’s response to the MERS outbreak. While MERS was a major shock, it was also a trigger that resulted in systemic changes. As a result, the Republic of Korea is now more alert to, and better prepared for, new and emerging diseases. The response to MERS was a full package of interventions, starting from creation of awareness to planning and putting system and institution in place and taking actions.