MERS-infected S. Koreans rise to 41 with 9.8% fatality rate

Employees from Seoul Metropolitan Rapid Transit Corp disinfect the interior of its train in Seoul, South Korea, June 4, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

SEOUL - The number of South Koreans tested positive for the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) rose to 41 Friday as five more cases were identified, the country's health ministry said.

Death with the MERS contagion increased to four, raising the fatality rate to 9.8 percent, according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

The five new cases were or estimated to be tertiary infection, which means contagion from secondary infectees.

Among them was a chief master sergeant in the Osan Air Base, the first case of MERS contagion in the military.

The 45-year-old soldier was tested positive Thursday at the initial test and received the final confirmation for the viral disease on Friday.

He was admitted to the hospital in May, but was estimated to be infected from secondary infectees as his first symptom of the MERS began to be shown beyond the latent period from his contact with the first patient.

Some 60 soldiers at the air base, where South Korean and US troops are stationed, have been isolated for possible contagion.