SEOUL, June 9 (Korea Bizwire) – The outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in Korea is even having a negative effect on sales of agricultural products from Sunchang County in North Jeolla Province, where a patient tested positive for MERS.
One raspberry farmer said, “Among some 30 pre-orders for raspberry products, almost half were cancelled in just a few days. Now, it’s time to harvest raspberries but there is little demand. Agricultural products are not spreading MERS, but consumers are avoiding produce from the county. It is a very embarrassing situation.”
A county official office said, “There is only one patient that has been confirmed with MERS, and all the people that might have entered into contact with them have been quarantined. MERS is not spread through agricultural products, so we hope people refrain from overreaction.”
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