Large scale human-to-human transmission of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is not likely, the Southern Metropolis Daily reported Wednesday, citing a Chinese respiratory expert specializing in pandemics.

Zhong Nanshan, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Engineering, on Tuesday attended a four-hour medical consultation at the Huizhou Municipal Central Hospital in Guangdong province for the treatment of China's first confirmed MERS patient, a man from the Republic of Korea (ROK).

Judging from how the MERS virus has evolved, the chance that the disease would spread widely through human-to-human transmission is slim, Zhong said.

The ROK visitor tested positive for MERS in the southern province of Guangdong last Friday. He remains feverish but is in a stable condition, which means the disease is slow to develop and not life threatening.

Zhong advised close monitoring of the case and enhanced preventative measures, including protection of medical workers.

So far, authorities in Guangdong have quarantined 69 people who had been in close contact with the patient, while another nine are yet to be identified. None of those in quarantine are showing any symptoms of the virus, according to the report.

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